midterm

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noun mid·term \ ˈmid-ˌtərm (usual for sense 1b) , -ˈtərm \

Definition of midterm

1 a :the middle of an academic term

b :an examination at midterm

2 :the approximate middle of a term of office

See midterm defined for English-language learners

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 of midterm from the Web

After a year with no major legislative wins, the stakes are high for the White House and GOP leaders, who face mounting pressure to get points on the board before next year’s midterm elections.

— josh boak, The Seattle Times, "Trump to promote ‘vision’ for job creation via tax overhaul," 30 Aug. 2017
But this week’s reporting paints a new nightmare scenario for congressional Republicans — one in which a renegade president compounds the political costs of their legislative failures by sabotaging the economy, just before the midterm elections.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Seems to Genuinely Want a Trade War With China," 29 Aug. 2017
But after a slew of new Republicans were ushered into Congress following the 2010 midterm elections, abstinence-only programs experienced renewed support.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "Yet Another Study Confirms Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Doesn't Work—But the Trump Administration Still Wants to Fund It," 25 Aug. 2017
Called the Inaugural Women's Convention, the three-day event will run Oct. 27-29 and will include resistance-training workshops, inspirational forums and leadership lessons as the group tries to mobilize in advance of the 2018 midterm elections.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Women's March convention coming to Detroit in October," 14 Aug. 2017
Inside, McConnell asked voters to give Congress as long as two years when midterm elections arrive before judging whether enough is getting done.

— chris mayhew, Cincinnati.com, "McConnell sees 'no path forward' for health care plan," 7 Aug. 2017
Frustration has been rising over Trump’s inability to effect much of his agenda, and there’s concern that turnout could be low in next year’s midterm elections.

— linda feldmann, The Christian Science Monitor, "Behind Trump’s transgender ban, a political calculus," 27 July 2017
That makes the seat one of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s key targets in a midterm election, which in the past have brought out large surges in voters against the party in power.

— steven lemongello, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Democrat Nancy Soderberg announces run for Ron DeSantis seat in Congress," 19 July 2017
Historically, voter turnout is lower for midterm elections.

— noa yadidi, CNN, "Poll: Slim majority wants Democrats in charge of Congress," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'midterm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of midterm

15th century

MIDTERM Defined for English Language Learners

midterm

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noun

Definition of midterm for English Language Learners

: an examination given at the middle of a school term
: the middle of a school term
: the middle of a term of office

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