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

As the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections, these developments could have significant implications for the political climate. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

Some candidates running in the 2026 midterm have already invoked Kirk’s assassination in campaign ads and fundraising materials. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

Inflation could feature heavily in midterm elections next year, as the Republican Party looks to defend narrow majorities in the House and Senate. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

Ultimately, with midterms tending to have lower turnout than presidential elections, Newsom and AOC may be able to bring out enough young progressives to pass partisan redistricting. —Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025

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