term

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
6
a
: 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)
7
a
: 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

term

2 of 2

verb

termed; terming; terms

transitive verb

: to apply a term to : call, name
Phrases
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

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 That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.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
While atheism and agnosticism are among the most common, there are some differences between those terms. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Skin What’s cool right now about being in your 70s in terms of beauty is that there’s been so much research and wonderful creations to keep our skin and bodies healthy. Beth Sobol, Allure, 10 Mar. 2024 And then, after offering them a second chance in 2010, refused to countenance settling with the remaining 8% of original holders on terms other than the investors took in 2005 and 2010. Gregory Makoff, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 Italy has tied with the U.K. in terms of tickets sales — the film has earned north of $9 million in each country — and it’s expected to become the top-grossing territory this weekend or next. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 The presidency has been vacant since the still-unsolved 2021 assassination of Jovenel Moïse; the National Assembly has been empty since the last lawmakers’ terms expired last year. Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The term was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights' issues during Trump's presidency. CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024 Under the terms of the plea deal, Koss’ sentencing was deferred one year, during which time his drivers license was suspended. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 The more aggressive proposal would have dramatically lowered payments in the near term and required sharply escalating payments after that, particularly from 2035 to 2039. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
That’s the case in the lone local state Senate race, taking place in the central 39th District, where Toni Atkins is terming out. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 The controversy surrounding McClanahan comes as Missouri Republicans are looking to hold onto control of the governor’s office after Gov. Mike Parson terms out of office. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Mastering soft skills, or power skills as they are more recently termed, can make all the difference between a disappointingly ineffective side hustle and a thriving, high-income venture, that has the potential to eventually turn into your main job. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Four candidates hope to succeed business-friendly Councilmember Dev Davis, who is terming out of her District 6 seat, which encompasses the neighborhoods west of downtown, including Willow Glen, West San Carlos and Fruitdale. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 After a dozen years representing the 19th Assembly District, which includes the city’s west side and is more than 40% Asian American, Democrat Phil Ting will be termed out in November. Claire Wang, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 Sixty-two is a point in life that many of us would term middle age: hardly a moment to hang it all up. Daniel De Visé, The Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2024 For over a year, only a select few U.S. stocks, commonly termed the Magnificent Seven, have lifted the entire S&P 500 to new records. Ivan Illan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Molina, who died of cancer last year at 74, remained on the Board of Supervisors until she was termed out in 2014. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'term.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English terme, from Anglo-French, from Latin terminus boundary marker, limit; akin to Greek termōn boundary, end, Sanskrit tarman top of a post

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6b

Verb

1545, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of term was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near term

Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/term. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

term

1 of 2 noun
1
2
: a fixed period of time
especially : the time for which something lasts : duration
served two terms
the new school term
3
plural : conditions that limit the nature and scope of something (as an agreement)
could not accept their terms
4
a
: a word or expression that has an exact meaning in some uses or is limited to a particular field
legal terms
b
plural : words of a particular kind
spoke in glowing terms
5
a
: a mathematical expression (as 3x in x2 + 3xy) connected to another by a plus or a minus sign
b
: an element (as a numerator) of a fraction or proportion
6
plural
a
: personal relationship
on good terms with the neighbors
b
: agreement sense 1b
come to terms after much compromise
c
: a state of acceptance or understanding
came to terms with not making the team

term

2 of 2 verb
: to apply a term to : call, name

Medical Definition

term

1 of 2 noun
: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates
had her baby at full term

term

2 of 2 adjective
: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term
a term infant
term births

Legal Definition

term

noun
often attributive
1
: a specified period of time
the policy term
2
: the whole period for which an estate is granted
also : the estate itself
3
a
: the period in which the powers of a court may be validly exercised
b
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

More from Merriam-Webster on term

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!