midterm

noun

mid·​term ˈmid-ˌtərm (usual for sense 1b) 

-ˈtərm

1

a

: the middle of an academic term

b

: an examination at midterm

2

: the approximate middle of a term of office

Examples of midterm in a Sentence

The students will be busy taking midterms next week.

He dropped the course before midterm.

assessing the President's performance at midterm

Recent Examples on the Web

One year before the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats have a 5-point advantage over Republicans in generic congressional ballot polling, according to RealClearPolitics. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 8 Dec. 2025

The party’s divide on economic populism reflects a political split over whether it’s done enough for voters ahead of the midterms. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025

But a growing number of Republicans worry the economy could drag the party down in the midterm elections. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, Duggan has his eyes set on the 2026 midterm election as a Michigan gubernatorial candidate. —Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for midterm

• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm
• berm
• ferm