Main Entry:

²ter·mi·nate

Pronunciation:

\ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

ter·mi·nat·ed; ter·mi·nat·ing

Date:

15th century

intransitive verb1: to extend only to a limit (as a point or line) ; especially : to reach a terminus2: to form an ending3: to come to an end in timetransitive verb1 a: to bring to an end : close <terminate a marriage by divorce> <terminate a transmission line> b: to form the conclusion of <review questions terminate each chapter> c: to discontinue the employment of <workers terminated because of slow business>2: to serve as an ending, limit, or boundary of3: assassinate, kill

synonyms see close