1 connected with or situated on the outside of sth/sb:
the external walls of the building * The lotion is for external use only (= only for the skin and must not be swallowed).
2 happening or coming from outside a place, an organization, your particular situation, etc:
A combination of internal and external factors caused the company to close down. * external pressures on the economy * Many external influences can affect your state of mind. * The information has come from reliable sources external to the government.
3 coming from or arranged by sb from outside a school, a university or an organization: (BrE) external examiners / assessors * An external auditor will verify the accounts.
4 connected with foreign countries:
The government is committed to reducing the country's external debt. * the Minister of State for External Affairs
OPPINTERNAL
externally adverb:
The building has been restored externally and internally. * The university has many externally funded research projects.
