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

Republicans are betting that a shift back to economic messaging after weeks of war in Iran will help reset the political landscape ahead of the midterm elections. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026

The effects are rippling across Capitol Hill, teeing up a fight that could directly impact the makeup of the House heading into the midterm elections. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

But also, let’s get through the midterms first. —NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026

The proponents of this measure have even admitted unabashedly that this is part of a national effort to divide Coloradoans and drive turnout in the midterm elections. —Mike Smith, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 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