terminator

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tor ˈtər-mə-ˌnā-tər 

1

: the dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of the moon's or a planet's disk

2

: one that terminates

Examples of terminator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the waxing and waning phases surrounding a full moon, viewers in the northern hemisphere can find their way to the south polar region by identifying the line separating night from day, known as the terminator, and following it down to its lowest point. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026

These players will all leave in the coming years, but Brentford, like a football terminator, will attempt to regenerate and go again. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026

This is prime time for lunar viewing, with shadows from mountains and craters stretched dramatically close to the terminator — the line between lunar night and day. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Their goal is to use the terminator model to provide businesses with better solar forecasts. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for terminator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator