terminal

adjective

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ter·mi·nal | \ ˈtərm-nəl

, ˈtər-mə-nᵊl \

Definition of terminal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : leading ultimately to death : fatal terminal cancer

(2) : approaching or close to death : being in the final stages of a fatal disease a terminal patient

(3) : of or relating to patients with a terminal illness terminal care

b : of, relating to, or occurring in a term or each term terminal payments

c : extremely or hopelessly severe terminal boredom

2a : of or relating to an end, extremity, boundary, or terminus a terminal pillar

b : growing at the end of a branch or stem a terminal bud

3a : occurring at or constituting the end of a period or series : concluding the terminal moments of life

b : not intended as preparation for further academic work a terminal curriculum

terminal

noun

Definition of terminal (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : either end of a carrier line having facilities for the handling of freight and passengers

b : a freight or passenger station that is central to a considerable area or serves as a junction at any point with other lines

c : a town or city at the end of a carrier line : terminus

2 : a combination of a keyboard and output device (such as a video display unit) by which data can be entered into or output from a computer or electronic communications system

3 : a device attached to the end of a wire or cable or to an electrical apparatus for convenience in making connections

4 : a part that forms the end : extremity, termination

5 : a terminating usually ornamental detail : finial

Other Words from terminal Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about terminal

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Choose the Right Synonym for terminal

Adjective

last, final, terminal, ultimate mean following all others (as in time, order, or importance). last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped. last page of a book last news we had of him final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress. final day of school terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development. terminal phase of a disease ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible. the ultimate collapse of the system

Examples of terminal in a Sentence

Adjective She was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was suffering from terminal boredom. another person with terminal stupidity branches that end in a terminal bud Noun I will meet you outside the bus terminal. Flight 1584 is now departing from Gate 6 in Terminal A. You are not allowed in the terminal without a ticket. Ten terminals are connected to this server. You will need to clean the corrosion off the battery terminals.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Genet, Dennis Potter, Hervé Guibert, Hitchens, and David Rakoff wrote prolifically through terminal illness. — Moyra Davey, Harper's Magazine, "White Light/White Heat," 27 Apr. 2020 To be clear, patients end up in hospice at the end of long battles with terminal diseases — not because of Covid-19. — Matt Villano, CNN, "In a pandemic's dark days, these hospice workers found creative ways to bring light," 10 Apr. 2020 In the summer of 2017, she was given a diagnosis of Stage 4 ovarian cancer, with a malignant pleural effusion—a terminal condition. — Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, "My Mother Is Under Quarantine, but We’re Still Staying Close," 22 Mar. 2020 On Angels' Wings, a local nonprofit that provides free professional photographs and support for children battling a terminal condition from maternity to 18 years, has followed Hunter's journey and provided photos to the News-Leader. — Jackie Rehwald, USA TODAY, "Child with no immune system is living in 'bubble' as he awaits a transplant," 31 Jan. 2020 What would the new federal law do for patients with terminal conditions? — Philly.com, "'Right-to-try' means right to be harmed by unproven treatments," 30 May 2018 Consider the terminal ballistic performance of the caliber and selected bullet. — Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, "16 Tips for New Rifle Shooters From a Former Navy SEAL Master Chief," 30 Apr. 2020 These include big rigs, drayage trucks, terminal tractors, forklifts, and other industrial equipment. — Nathaniel Horadam, Ars Technica, "Are electric vehicles doomed? We don’t think so, despite poor sales," 27 Apr. 2020 The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority on Wednesday agreed to defer collecting $7.3 million in May rent from airlines, $5.6 million from rental-car companies and $4.1 million from terminal concessionaires. — John Haughey, Washington Examiner, "Florida’s airports garner $900M in federal assistance to stay afloat," 20 Apr. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The commission issued its final environment impact statement in March and is due to vote in early June on AGDC’s application to construct the gas treatment plant at Prudhoe Bay, the pipeline, LNG plant and marine terminal. — Larry Persily, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska seeks new sponsor for LNG project or it could sell off the assets," 18 May 2020 Since April, four vessels carrying a total 2.4 million barrels of American oil have set sail for the Bantry Bay terminal operated by Zenith Energy Management, according to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. — BostonGlobe.com, "Fine retiring as general manager of WCVB-TV," 15 May 2020 Its policy also reminds workers that they aren't allowed to make people leave the terminal for not wearing a mask. — Pete Muntean, CNN, "Airlines are having trouble enforcing their face mask policies," 13 May 2020 Walking through the empty terminals of Los Angeles International Airport was surreal. — New York Times, "Three Months, Two Continents and Four Stints in Quarantine," 13 May 2020 Employees will now wear masks when in the terminal portion of the airport. — Melissa Yeager, azcentral, "What Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is doing to help keep travelers safe during coronavirus," 11 May 2020 Home values were appreciating, the Planning Commission was approving new development and the ferry terminal offered commuter boat service to the Financial District. — Dominic Fracassa, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area cities face grim financial outlook amid budget slashing. Here’s what cities are planning to cut," 10 May 2020 According to city figures provided to AL.com, Mobile’s annual debt payments on the cruise terminal are around $1.9 million. — al, "Carnival leaves Mobile again, and taxpayers are stuck with the bills," 8 May 2020 The sudden shutdown of the state’s video lottery terminals followed Gov. Kate Brown’s ban on dining inside restaurants and bars. — oregonlive, "Oregon Lottery will cut jobs, pay amid coronavirus pandemic," 8 May 2020

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