To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of term
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject
legal terms
b terms plural : expression of a specified kind
described in glowing terms
b : the whole period for which an estate is granted also : the estate or interest held by one for a term
c : 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 terms
c : 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 term
7a : a unitary or compound expression connected with another by a plus or minus sign
b : an element of a fraction or proportion or of a series or sequence
8 : any of the three substantive elements of a syllogism
9 : a quadrangular pillar often tapering downward and adorned on the top with the figure of a head or the upper part of the body
in terms of on one's own terms
: with respect to or in relation to
thinks of everything in terms of money
: in accordance with one's wishes : in one's own way
prefers to live on his own terms
term
verbtermed; terming; terms
Definition of term (Entry 2 of 2)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quizSemantic Drift Quiz
A challenging quiz of changing words.
Take the quizSpell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quizAdd Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share term
Time Traveler for term
The first known use of term was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century