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Definition of term
1a : a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject legal termsb terms plural : expression of a specified kind described in glowing terms
2a : a limited or definite extent of time; especially : the time for which something lasts : duration, tenure term of office lost money in the short termb : the whole period for which an estate is granted; also : the estate or interest held by one for a termc : the time during which a court is in session
3 : division in a school year during which instruction is regularly given to students
4 terms plural : provisions that determine the nature and scope of an agreement : conditions terms of sale liberal credit terms
5 terms plural a : mutual relationship : footing on good termsb : agreement, concord come to terms after extensive negotiationsc : a state of acceptance or understanding came to terms with the failure of his marriage
6a : the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates had her baby at full termb : end, termination; also : a point in time assigned to something (such as a payment)
7a : a unitary or compound expression connected with another by a plus or minus signb : an element of a fraction or proportion or of a series or sequence
8 : any of the three substantive elements of a syllogism
in terms of
on one's own terms
From the M-W Editors
Examples of term in a Sentence
“I had the feeling that I had been there before.” “The term for that is ‘déjà vu.’”
That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.
He spoke about them in glowing terms.
The law had been understood in broad terms.
The governor will run for a second term.
He is currently serving his third term in the U.S. Senate.
He was sentenced to a ten-year term in the state penitentiary.
The term of the contract is 60 months.
His grades have improved since last term.
English 122 is not offered this term.
Origin and Etymology of term
Middle English terme, from Anglo-French, from Latin terminus boundary marker, limit; akin to Greek termōn boundary, end, Sanskrit tarman top of a post
term
Definition of term
Examples of term in a Sentence
They termed the structure a “double helix.”
The project was termed a success.
First Known Use of term
circa 1557
Financial Definition of TERM
term
What It Is
In the finance world, a term is the length of time until a debt matures. A term can also be a condition of a deal, as evidenced by the phrase term sheet, which describes the terms of a deal.
How It Works
Let's say Company XYZ wants to borrow $1 million to build a factory. It meets with its bank, ABC Bank, to negotiate the loan. The company and the bank agree to a 10-year loan with quarterly payments and a 7% interest rate. In this case, the term is 10 years.
Why It Matters
The longer the term of a piece of debt, the lower the payments usually are. However, the interest rate may be higher due to the lender's increased risk exposure.
In the second instance, when two companies are negotiating a deal and are working through a term sheet, one term may have more influence over the deal than another and thus may create significant sticking points.
TERM Defined for English Language Learners
term
playDefinition of term for English Language Learners
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: a word or phrase that has an exact meaning
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terms : the particular kinds of words used to describe someone or something
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: the length of time during which a person has an official or political office
term
Definition of term for English Language Learners
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: to give a particular name or description to (something) : to call (something) by a particular name or to describe (something) in a particular way
TERM Defined for Kids
Definition of term for Students
1 : a word or expression that has an exact meaning in some uses or is limited to a subject or field legal terms
2 : a period of time fixed especially by law or custom a school term
3 terms plural : conditions that limit the nature and scope of something (as a treaty or a will) the terms of a contract
4 terms plural : relationship between people I'm on good terms with the neighbors.
5 : any one of the numbers in a series
6 : the numerator or denominator of a fraction
Word Root of term
The Latin word terminus, meaning “boundary” or “limit,” gives us the root termin or term. Words from the Latin terminus have something to do with boundaries or limits. A term is a limited period of time during which something, such as school, occurs or exists. To determine is to set exact boundaries for something. To terminate, or cause to end, is to take to a boundary or limit.
Definition of term for Students
termed
;terming
: to call by a particular name “… it pleases him to be termed Emperor rather than King.” — L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of term
: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates had her baby at full term
term
Medical Definition of term
: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term a term infant term births
Law Dictionary
term
Legal Definition of term
1 : a specified period of time the policy term
2 : the whole period for which an estate is granted; also : the estate itself
3a : the period in which the powers of a court may be validly exercised b : session
4 : a word, phrase, or provision of import especially in determining the nature and scope of an agreement —usually used in plural the terms of the contract
Learn More about term
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See words that rhyme with term Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for term Spanish Central: Translation of term Nglish: Translation of term for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of term for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about term
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