term

\ ˈtərm

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

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 term

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

b : agreement, concord come to terms after extensive negotiations

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

b : 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 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

: with respect to or in relation to thinks of everything in terms of money

on one's own terms

: in accordance with one's wishes : in one's own way prefers to live on his own terms

term

verb

termed; terming; terms

Definition of term (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to apply a term to : call, name

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about term

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Examples of term in a Sentence

Noun “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 That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.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. Verb They termed the structure a “double helix.” The project was termed a success.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Ivey announced the funding Aug. 7 with a statement that acknowledged the devastating toll the virus has taken on those in long-term care facilities. — al, "Alabama nursing homes must spend $50 million in coronavirus funding by the end of the year," 24 Oct. 2020 In comparison, land and ocean surface temperatures in 2019 were 0.95 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average. — Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Deepest, Darkest, Most Frigid Depths of the Ocean Are Warming," 23 Oct. 2020 Rock and others pointed out that long-term facilities have fared much worse from COVID-19 compared to state prisons. — Grace Toohey, orlandosentinel.com, "Families question strict prison visit rules as Florida relaxes other coronavirus restrictions," 23 Oct. 2020 Turkey has also argued that the S-400 is one of the best available systems and says the deal with Russia involves joint production and technology transfers that meet its long-term goals of defense self-sufficiency. — Robert Burns, Star Tribune, "Trump administration slams NATO ally Turkey for weapon test," 23 Oct. 2020 The middle schools have seven long-term substitutes. — Kristen Griffith, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "CDC changes guidance on close contacts, but Carroll County Public Schools expects little impact," 23 Oct. 2020 Nursing home deaths: At least 3,214 patients of Ohio nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died with coronavirus this year, with 45 new deaths reported in the weekly update Wednesday night by the Ohio Department of Health. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, "Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s campaign spends nearly $1m on defense lawyers: Capitol Letter," 23 Oct. 2020 Long-term projects like these could speed up the city’s economic recovery from the coronavirus, said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. — Liz Hardaway, ExpressNews.com, "Workers tearing down old Bexar County jail in downtown San Antonio to make way for new UTSA business school," 23 Oct. 2020 Of the five infield positions (including catcher), four are manned by players with large, long-term contracts, so there will be little wiggle room next year barring an unexpected trade. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "Will 2021 be swan song for Giants’ threesome of Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford?," 23 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Bill Clinton, whose career was frequently likened to McKay’s, had been president for six desultory years of what is now termed neoliberalism. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Two Movies That Define Today’s Democrats," 11 Mar. 2020 By the end of it, 19 Indian jawans were killed and about 30 were injured in what was termed the deadliest attack on Indian security forces in Kashmir in nearly two and a half decades. — Nikhil Inamdar, Quartz India, "An Indian startup’s “sharp-eye” technology can prevent Uri-like militant attacks," 15 Jan. 2020 Previously, refunds were only available to games that were canceled, but games not played in March and April were officially termed postponed by MLB. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers offer refunds or credit to ticket holders for home games in March, April," 30 Apr. 2020 Kliff Kingsbury certainly looked relaxed in his James Bond-style living space, termed that by the brilliant Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe. — Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals a Top 10 team after 2020 NFL draft?," 28 Apr. 2020 It was reported yesterday, however, that he has been reassigned in a move the report termed sudden. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Head of US’ pandemic vaccine group says he was demoted in retaliation," 22 Apr. 2020 Krug ailing Torey Krug caught the bug working its way through the Bruins’ dressing room and was termed a game-time decision. — Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, "David Backes gets back on the ice," 9 Jan. 2020 Some of these have been famous for grace and elegance, others more infamous for what could be termed jaw-slackening design. — Mike Duff, Car and Driver, "Aston Martin Vantage Zagato V12 Coupe, Speedster Pair Revealed," 21 Apr. 2020 People that are working minimum wage jobs, working on the farms or driving trucks or cleaning hospitals — all those who are now termed essential workers. — Mirel Zaman, refinery29.com, "I Tested The Coronavirus Vaccine A Month Ago. Here’s What The Last Four Weeks Have Been Like," 17 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'term.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/term. Accessed 29 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for term

term

noun

English Language Learners Definition of term

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a word or phrase that has an exact meaning

: the particular kinds of words used to describe someone or something

: the length of time during which a person has an official or political office

term

verb

English Language Learners Definition of term (Entry 2 of 2)

: to give a particular name or description to (something) : to call (something) by a particular name or to describe (something) in a particular way

See the full definition for term in the English Language Learners Dictionary

term

noun

\ ˈtərm

Kids Definition of term

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

term

verb

termed; terming

Kids Definition of term (Entry 2 of 2)

: to call by a particular name “… it pleases him to be termed Emperor rather than King.”— L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

term

noun

\ ˈtərm

Medical Definition of term

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates had her baby at full term

term

adjective

Medical Definition of term (Entry 2 of 2)

: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term a term infant term births

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term

noun, often attributive

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 pl. the terms of the contract

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