short-term

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˌtərm 

1

: occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and especially one of less than a year

b

: generated by assets held for less than six months

Synonyms of short-term

• temporary
• interim

Examples of short-term in a Sentence

this is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors. — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Should the state not come through, the school district risks deeper cuts or short-term borrowing. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

The lack of fuss over the finishes suggests this might have been used as a short-term rental. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2026

By building governance systems on Chinese systems, the region is trading short-term affordability for dependence—and, with it, Chinese leverage over their decisions. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for short-term

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

Kids Definition

short-term

adjective

-ˈtərm

: short-range

short-term goals

Legal Definition

short term

noun

: short rate