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

Belcher thinks that the 2026 midterm elections will be won not just on pocketbook issues but on values and character, and by bringing people together in a multiracial coalition. —Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

As of Tuesday, there will be 182 days until the 2026 midterm elections. —Robert Yoon, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

And a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act sparks a scramble in some Southern states to get in on redistricting before the midterm elections. —CBS News, 4 May 2026

Republicans are quickly working to redraw and pass new congressional maps in time for the midterms, after a recent Supreme Court ruling weakened the Voting Rights Act. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for midterm

• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm
• berm
• ferm