term

1 of 2

noun

ˈtərm 

1

a

: a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject

legal terms

b

terms plural : expression of a specified kind

described in glowing terms

2

a

: a limited or definite extent of time

especially : the time for which something lasts : duration, tenure

term of office

lost money in the short term

b

: the whole period for which an estate is granted

also : the estate or interest held by one for a term

c

: the time during which a court is in session

3

: division in a school year during which instruction is regularly given to students

4

terms plural : provisions that determine the nature and scope of an agreement : conditions

terms of sale

liberal credit terms

5

terms plural

a

: mutual relationship : footing

on good terms

b

: agreement, concord

come to terms after extensive negotiations

c

: a state of acceptance or understanding

came to terms with the failure of his marriage

6

a

: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates

had her baby at full term

b

: end, termination

also : a point in time assigned to something (such as a payment)

7

a

: a unitary or compound expression connected with another by a plus or minus sign

b

: an element of a fraction or proportion or of a series or sequence

8

: any of the three substantive elements of a syllogism

9

: a quadrangular pillar often tapering downward and adorned on the top with the figure of a head or the upper part of the body

see also in terms of, on one's own terms

term

2 of 2

verb

termed; terming; terms

transitive verb

: to apply a term to : call, name

Synonyms of term

Noun

• tenure
• stint

Verb

• name
• call
• title
• label
• dub
• nickname
• style
• designate

Examples of term in a Sentence

Noun

“I had the feeling that I had been there before.” “The term for that is ‘déjà vu.’”

That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.

He spoke about them in glowing terms.

The law had been understood in broad terms.

The governor will run for a second term.

He is currently serving his third term in the U.S. Senate.

He was sentenced to a ten-year term in the state penitentiary.

The term of the contract is 60 months.

His grades have improved since last term.

English 122 is not offered this term.

Verb

They termed the structure a “double helix.”

The project was termed a success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But agreement on these terms can only be achieved in strictly confidential negotiations, in which the two belligerents can make the necessary compromises on sensitive issues as part of a broader peace agreement. —Thomas Graham, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2025

There is also a one-year trial period for mattress buyers looking for longer-term flexibility and assessment. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025

Verb

Regrettably, no one terms the incident a Mass murder. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2025

Commissioner Joe Carollo, who frequently found himself at the center of controversies, is termed out of his District 3 seat, and Thursday is his final meeting. —Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English terme, from Anglo-French, from Latin terminus boundary marker, limit; akin to Greek termōn boundary, end, Sanskrit tarman top of a post

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6b

Verb

1545, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing term

• catchall term
• form/term of address
• full-term
• in the long term
• in the short term
• long-term
• long-term memory
• long-term potentiation
• major term
• medium-term
• middle term
• minor term
• over the long term
• over the short term
• short-term
• short-term memory
• term insurance
• term limit
• term of affection
• term of art
• term of/in office
• term of office
• term of opprobrium
• term paper
• term time
• the long term
• the short term
• to term

Rhymes for term

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• germ
• herm
• sperm
• squirm
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

term

1 of 2 noun

ˈtərm 

1

: end entry 1 sense 1b

2

: a fixed period of time

especially : the time for which something lasts : duration

served two terms

the new school term

3

plural : conditions that limit the nature and scope of something (as an agreement)

could not accept their terms

4

a

: a word or expression that has an exact meaning in some uses or is limited to a particular field

legal terms

b

plural : words of a particular kind

spoke in glowing terms

5

a

: a mathematical expression (as 3x in x² + 3x − y) connected to another by a plus or a minus sign

b

: an element (as a numerator) of a fraction or proportion

6

plural

a

: personal relationship

on good terms with the neighbors

b

: agreement sense 1b

come to terms after much compromise

c

: a state of acceptance or understanding

came to terms with the decision

term

2 of 2 verb

: to apply a term to : call, name

Medical Definition

term

1 of 2 noun

ˈtərm 

: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates

had her baby at full term

term

2 of 2 adjective

: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term

a term infant

term births

Legal Definition

term

noun

often attributive

1

: a specified period of time

the policy term

2

: the whole period for which an estate is granted

also : the estate itself

3

a

: the period in which the powers of a court may be validly exercised

b

: session

4

: a word, phrase, or provision of import especially in determining the nature and scope of an agreement

—usually used in pl.

the terms of the contract