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

Moreover, such a speech may very well get into the politics of the midterms. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026

All this kerfuffle may not prevent a win for the Democrats in the midterms—Trump’s historic unpopularity means that many people will turn out just to vote against him. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

The party holding the White House historically underperforms in midterm elections, and Democrats aim to capitalize on what polls have shown are Americans' negative views on the economy, the Iran war and Trump himself. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Republicans are in a tough fight to maintain control of the House and Senate after the midterm elections. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for midterm

• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm