term

noun \ ˈtərm \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

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That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.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

Ouko is seven years into an eight-year term, and his office has been instrumental in bringing to light some of Kenya’s most egregious recent cases of corruption.

— max bearak, Washington Post, "Kenyans have had it with corruption. Their leaders may finally be doing something about it.," 13 July 2018
In terms of his mindset, Guerra is trying to avoid playing with a sense of urgency.

— mike persak, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins' Javy Guerra seeks permanent spot in majors," 14 July 2018
The 2018 hurricane season has gotten off to a fast start, at least in terms of the number of hurricanes.

— gary lessor, courant.com, "Hurricane Season Starts Early," 14 July 2018
Sermanni said in a previous interview there isn’t much the coaching staff can do in terms of its approach this late into the season.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando Pride have sense of urgency going into match against Utah Royals," 13 July 2018
Layer skin-care products from thinnest to thickest in terms of texture.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, SELF, "The 9 Best Skin-Care Tips I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Being a Beauty Editor," 13 July 2018
Calculating the economic impact of sporting trophies is hard, but there can be little doubt that a victory could be worth more in terms of positive publicity for Croatia than years of splurging on global PR campaigns.

— The Economist, "Croatia stands on the cusp of World Cup victory," 13 July 2018
But beyond these five acts, the Cal State Fair has much more to offer in terms of music – here's a full list of all the dates and performers for this July.

— adesuwa agbonile, sacbee, "5 Cal State Fair musical acts you don’t want to miss this year," 13 July 2018
Much of Alaska has unreliable internet, with HighSpeedInternet.com ranking it third-to-last in terms of internet connectivity in the U.S.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Not Even John Oliver Could Save Two of the Last Remaining Blockbusters in the U.S.," 13 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 6b

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

termed; terming; terms

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

Norris’ rehabilitation is going well, despite what Gardenhire termed a setback recently.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' Daniel Norris 'needed' to hit reset button. Here's why," 10 July 2018
The two men subsequently spoke by telephone in what both termed a cordial and respectful conversation.

— patrick j. mcdonnell, latimes.com, "Mexico's Lopez Obrador taps longtime loyalist as nominee for top diplomat and invites Trump to inauguration," 6 July 2018
The Afghan government expects the gathering to term the Taliban insurgency and use of suicide attacks in Afghanistan as unlawful, like similar such meetings have recently in Kabul and in Jakarta.

— sayed salahuddin, BostonGlobe.com, "Fresh violence kills over 15 in Afghanistan as Islamic scholars debate Taliban war," 11 July 2018
The Afghan government expects the gathering to term the Taliban insurgency and use of suicide attacks in Afghanistan as unlawful, as similar meetings have recently in Kabul and in Jakarta.

— sayed salahuddin, Washington Post, "Fresh violence kills over 15 in Afghanistan as Islamic scholars debate Taliban war," 10 July 2018
The overall objective was removal — or what was variably termed self-deportation, exile or banishment.

— martha s. jones, Time, "How the 14th Amendment's Promise of Birthright Citizenship Redefined America," 9 July 2018
The governor paid what city officials termed a social visit to Havre de Grace, spending about three hours in the downtown area Friday evening.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Gov. Hogan visits Havre de Grace," 9 July 2018
In 2011 a 4-year-old died after apparently colliding with another dolphin shortly before a show and suffering a skull fracture in what was termed a freak accident.

— steve johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Young Brookfield Zoo dolphin dies unexpectedly," 12 June 2018
Now, with Torlakson termed out, Tuck is running again... this time against Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, backed by the unions.

— sarah d. wire, latimes.com, "Live analysis of California primary results," 6 June 2018

First Known Use of term

1545

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

term Synonyms

Synonyms

baptize, call, christen, denominate, designate, dub, entitle, label, name, nominate, style, title;

Related Words

brand, stigmatize, tag;

denote, specify;

miscall, misname, mistitle;

nickname;

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

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

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

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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Origin and Etymology of term

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term

Definition of term

Examples of term in a Sentence

Recent Examples of term from the Web

First Known Use of term

term Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Financial Definition of TERM

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

TERM Defined for English Language Learners

term

Definition of term for English Language Learners

term

Definition of term for English Language Learners

TERM Defined for Kids

term

Definition of term for Students

Word Root of term

term

Definition of term for Students

Medical Dictionary

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medical Definition of term

term

medical Definition of term

Law Dictionary

term

legal Definition of term

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