term

play

noun \ ˈtərm \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of term

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

— 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

See term defined for English-language learners

See term defined for kids

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That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.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.

Recent Examples of term from the Web

The long-term plan at the sport’s most important position is, too.

— dave campbell, The Seattle Times, "A year later, Vikings’ Bridgewater still working way back," 30 Aug. 2017
Concussions and sub-concussions are brain injuries that are a threat to the short- and long-term health of players, and perhaps football itself.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Healthy Rivers is grateful for another NFL season," 30 Aug. 2017
In terms of complaints to the department, supervisors have too much latitude, according to the report.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Barletta is running for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, who is seeking a third term in a midterm election that will double as a referendum on President Trump.

— chris brennan, Philly.com, "In Barletta's open seat, a mid-term referendum on Trump brews," 30 Aug. 2017
The lyrics align perfectly with the Afropunk setting: playing and singing songs on our terms, reclaiming what is ours, be that our time, our hair, or our bodies, and being able to do so in our own spaces.

— terri burns, Teen Vogue, "Afropunk Is a Safe Space for Black People in Donald Trump's America," 29 Aug. 2017
Slapping tariffs on a frenemy like China is one thing; instigating an economic conflict with our northern neighbor is quite another (in terms of diplomatic downsides).

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Seems to Genuinely Want a Trade War With China," 29 Aug. 2017
Pouring the wine into a carafe an hour or so before drinking and then giving it a good, vigorous swirl in your glass will allow the gassiness—a technical term—to blow off.

— belle cushing, Bon Appetit, "So, What Exactly Is Natural Wine?," 28 Aug. 2017
A points system would yield a pool of immigrants that is extremely diverse in terms of color and creed, and to suggest otherwise is hogwash.

— reihan salam, National Review, "The Case for Skills-Based Immigration," 28 Aug. 2017

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.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

term Synonyms

Synonyms

hitch, stint, tenure, tour

Related Words

shift, watch; go, turn; duration, standing, time; cycle, span, spell, stretch; life, life span, lifetime, run

term

verb

Definition of term

transitive verb

:to apply a term to :call, name

See term defined for English-language learners

Examples of term in a Sentence

They termed the structure a “double helix.”
The project was termed a success.

Recent Examples of term from the Web

The new space will be dedicated to a new generation of more fuel-efficient engines used by Airbus, which terms them NEO, for New Engine Option.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Foley aerospace plant dedicates expansion that will bring 260 new jobs," 24 Aug. 2017
The rest of us felt that because we were appointed to a committee that does not term out—our terms don’t automatically expire with the changing administration—that our roles are nonpartisan.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Why the White House’s Arts and Humanities Commitee Decided to Resign All at Once Under Trump," 18 Aug. 2017
In addition, many of those ticketed also got what’s termed an equipment violation for possessing a noisy muffler, each racking up an additional fine of $130, a court clerk said.

— bill laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Dream Cruise cars steer into strict noise rule — and Royal Oak's tickets," 17 Aug. 2017
In this way, his therapist unwittingly kept my father from being exposed to the new epidemic sweeping the gay community: what would be termed GRID, and then AIDS.

— jennie melamed, Teen Vogue, "What It’s Like to Have Your Dad Come Out as Gay," 25 July 2017
A Waukegan official dubbed it a 500-year storm; those in Libertyville and Mundelein called it a 200-year flood; Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor termed it a 100-year flood.

— charles selle, Lake County News-Sun, "Selle: Depths of deluge cause disastrous county flooding," 17 July 2017
Both Cannella and Berryhill are termed out of office next year.

— liam dillon, latimes.com, "Gov. Jerry Brown says the existence of humanity rests on his climate change deal," 13 July 2017
The injury was officially termed a left shoulder strain.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "Reds' Mesoraco injures surgically repaired shoulder," 5 July 2017
When Britton left Lake Central after the 2000 season, it was termed a mutual decision by the Hall of Fame coach and the administration.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Hutton: Think twice before you fire your coach, it may not be all right," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of term

1545

term Synonyms

Synonyms

baptize, call, christen, clepe [archaic], denominate, designate, dub, entitle, label, nominate, style, name, title

Related Words

brand, stigmatize, tag; denote, specify; miscall, misname, mistitle; code-name, nickname; rechristen, relabel, rename; surname

Financial Definition of TERM

term

noun

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.

Source: Investing Answers

TERM Defined for English Language Learners

term

play

noun

Definition of term for English Language Learners

: a word or phrase that has an exact meaning
terms : 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

Definition of term for English Language Learners

: 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

term

play

noun \ ˈtərm \

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.

term

verb

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

term

play

noun \ ˈtərm \

medical Definition of term

:the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates

had her baby at full term

term

adjective

medical Definition of term

:carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term

a term infant

term births

Law Dictionary

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

3 a :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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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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term

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