tedium

noun

te·​di·​um ˈtē-dē-əm 

1

: the quality or state of being tedious : tediousness

also : boredom

2

: a tedious period of time

Synonyms

• boredom

Examples of tedium in a Sentence

The movie was three hours of tedium.

I took a day off to relieve the tedium of work.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the show progresses, the book morphs into a potent examination of self-objectification, of the existential tedium of work, and of the disorientation produced by living in a world where what is genuine and what is performance are difficult to disentangle. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

Not necessarily the worst team, but just a season that was boring, devoid of news, etc. — Clint N. While there are a few contenders, the 2013 season stands alone for tedium and banality. —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 11 July 2025

One of the lenses through which tech leaders view their plans for success should be balancing talent and tedium. —Agur Jõgi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

The energy of dance, the rhythmic movements, and the respite from the noise and tedium of life, feed my soul. —Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin taedium disgust, irksomeness, from taedēre to disgust, weary

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tedium

• medium
• cypripedium
• intermedium

Kids Definition

tedium

noun

te·​di·​um ˈtēd-ē-əm 

: the quality or state of being tedious : boredom