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
The terminator can also be defined as that variable line between the illuminated portion and the part of the moon in shadow.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 May 2026
This photo was taken as the Artemis II crew flew over the terminator, the dividing line between light and darkness on the moon.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover also noted the stark view of the Moon’s terminator, the transition between day and night.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Glover, for instance, was particularly captivated by the jagged topography along the moon’s terminator, the dividing line between its illuminated side and the side cloaked in darkness.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terminator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 May 2026
This photo was taken as the Artemis II crew flew over the terminator, the dividing line between light and darkness on the moon.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover also noted the stark view of the Moon’s terminator, the transition between day and night.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Glover, for instance, was particularly captivated by the jagged topography along the moon’s terminator, the dividing line between its illuminated side and the side cloaked in darkness.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terminator
Cite this Entry
“Terminator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terminator. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
