terminate

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verb ter·mi·nate \ ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of terminate

terminated; terminating

intransitive verb

1 :to form an ending

2 :to come to an end in time

3 :to extend only to a limit (such as a point or line); especially :to reach a terminus

transitive verb

1 a :to bring to an end :close

terminate a marriage by divorce

terminate a transmission line

b :to discontinue the employment of

workers terminated because of slow business

c :to form the conclusion of

review questions terminate each chapter

2 :to serve as an ending, limit, or boundary of

3 :assassinate, kill

See terminate defined for English-language learners

See terminate defined for kids

Recent Examples of terminate from the Web

But the city has now negotiated a lease change that terminates the association’s interest in Kemper Arena and the north parking lot, redirecting those events to Hale Arena.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "KC poised to transfer Kemper Arena to private owner," 23 Aug. 2017
And its host, French company Scaleway, terminated the Daily Stormer’s account.

— megan friedman, Cosmopolitan, "Companies Like Apple, PayPal, and Spotify Are Cutting Off White Supremacist Groups," 17 Aug. 2017
But budget cuts and new government guidelines on funding priorities have forced TERN to terminate the AUS$900,000 program, says TERN Director Beryl Morris.

— john pickrell, Science | AAAS, "Australia to ax support for long-term ecology sites," 11 Aug. 2017
The 298-foot long railway terminates at two enticing destinations—on top of Bunker Hill, near the outdoor Water Court shopping mall, and down below on Hill Street, steps from the teeming Grand Central Market.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "Angels Flight Deserves a More Uplifting Home," 31 July 2017
The government also proposed to terminate mandates of the current Supreme Court judges, and let the justice ministry decide which ones get to stay on and which are replaced.

— marc champion, Bloomberg.com, "The Real Impact of Trump’s Foreign Trips Happens After He Leaves," 18 July 2017
The family used to get primary care at UC Davis Medical Center, until their Medi-Cal managed care plan under Health Net terminated its contract with the hospital in 2015.

— ana b. ibarra, Kaiser Health News, "California Sued For Allegedly Substandard Medi-Cal Care," 13 July 2017
Kushner Companies recently terminated those talks, and is currently reassessing the financing structure of the overall project.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Is Jared Kushner Punishing Qatar Over a Soured Real-Estate Deal?," 10 July 2017
Campbell was terminated from the Hammond Police Department five days after Thomas' body was discovered.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Porter County judge pushes former cop's murder trial to January," 10 July 2017

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

First Known Use of terminate

15th century

terminate Synonyms

Synonyms

close out, complete, conclude, end, finish, round (off or out), close, wind up, wrap up

Antonyms

begin, commence, inaugurate, open, start

Related Words

climax, crown; consummate, perfect; halt, stop, suspend

Near Antonyms

draw out, extend, prolong, protract

Synonym Discussion of terminate

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.

- close a debate

end conveys a strong sense of finality.

- ended his life

conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).

- the service concluded with a blessing

finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.

- after it is painted, the house will be finished

complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.

- the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement

terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.

- your employment terminates after three months

terminate

play

adjective ter·mi·nate \ ˈtər-mə-nət \

Definition of terminate

:coming to an end or capable of ending

Examples of terminate in a Sentence

The branches of that tree terminate in flower clusters.
The rail line terminates in Boston.
You have to terminate the program before the computer will shut down properly.
His contract was terminated last month.
He was terminated last month.
Plans are being made to terminate unproductive employees.

Origin and Etymology of terminate

Middle English, from Latin terminatus, past participle of terminare, from terminus

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First Known Use: 15th century

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TERMINATE Defined for English Language Learners

terminate

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verb

Definition of terminate for English Language Learners

: to end in a particular way or at a particular place
: to cause (something) to end
: to take a job away from (someone)

TERMINATE Defined for Kids

terminate

play

verb ter·mi·nate \ ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt \

Definition of terminate for Students

terminated; terminating

:²end, close

I terminated my membership.

Word Root of terminate

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.

Law Dictionary

terminate

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verb ter·mi·nate \ ˈtər-mə-ˌnāt \

legal Definition of terminate

terminated; terminating

intransitive verb

:to come to an end in time or effect

transitive verb

1 :to bring to a definite end especially before a natural conclusion

terminate a contract

— compare cancel, rescind

2 :to discontinue the employment of

—

termination

play \ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

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terminate

Definition of terminate

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Recent Examples of terminate from the Web

First Known Use of terminate

terminate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of terminate

terminate

Definition of terminate

Examples of terminate in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of terminate

TERMINATE Defined for English Language Learners

terminate

Definition of terminate for English Language Learners

TERMINATE Defined for Kids

terminate

Definition of terminate for Students

Word Root of terminate

Law Dictionary

terminate

legal Definition of terminate

termination

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