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

Bette Midler and Patti Smith sang; Lily Gladstone gave a heartfelt speech about Native American resistance; Ayo Edebiri made a surprise appearance to encourage people to vote in the midterms; and De Niro slung some other curse words at the administration while yearning for a different America. —Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026

The move came as Florida candidates faced a deadline to get on the midterm ballot. —South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026

The president has a strong record of endorsements in the 2026 midterm elections, with nearly all of his candidate picks winning their respective primaries. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2026

Subscribe here and stay ahead of the midterms with our daily politics newsletter. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for midterm

• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm