termination

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce termination (audio)
1
: end in time or existence : conclusion
the termination of life
2
: the last part of a word
especially : an inflectional ending
3
: the act of terminating
4
: a limit in space or extent : bound
5
terminational adjective

Examples of termination in a Sentence

The law protects against unfair contract termination. the termination of a lease an early termination of the contract The company noted over 300 terminations last quarter. Are there plans for the termination of unproductive employees?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Impacted students in Colorado and elsewhere filed lawsuits over their legal status to study in the U.S., and the federal government ultimately reversed the termination of the students’ legal status. Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 22 June 2025 In March, Administrator Zeldin notified National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator recipients of the termination of their grant agreements under the Biden-Harris Administration’s $20 billion ‘gold bar’ scheme. Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The administration's termination of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts also impacts authors and academics. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 19 June 2025 That includes the end of the Biden parole processes for Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, as well as the termination of deportation protections and work permits under Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for termination

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of termination was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Termination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/termination. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

termination

noun
ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce termination (audio)
: an end or ending of something
especially : a distal end of an anatomical part

More from Merriam-Webster on termination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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