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

Opponents salvaged a concession — the law won’t take effect until after the November midterm elections. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

There will be no midterm elections in 2026. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

President Donald Trump‘s gamble that rising oil prices are good for the American economy may not be an effective messaging strategy with voters in a midterm year where affordability will be a key issue. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026

And sending in ground troops would, of course, be unacceptable to most Americans and would severely hurt the Republicans in the upcoming midterm Congressional elections and even the 2028 presidential election. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 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