Definition of "external" in English

adjective

1. Outside of something; on the exterior.

   • This building has some external pipework.

2. Capable of being perceived outwardly.

3. Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.

   • external authority, external force

4. Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.

   • external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom

5. Having existence independent of the mind.

   • external reality

6. (education) For or concerning students registered with and taking the examinations of a university but not resident there.

   • external degrees

7. (computing, of a hardware) Not contained in the main computer.

8. (computing, of storage) Using a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.

noun

1. (usually in the plural) The exterior; outward features or appearances.

2. (programming, in the C language) A variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.