termination

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

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

: outcome, result

terminational

ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of termination

• limitation
• limit
• end
• confines
• boundary
• line

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

The ferry launch comes as Safe Harbor Marina is separately embroiled in a dispute with the operators of the tall ship Schooner Bill of Rights, a historic vessel that received a termination notice from the marina in March with no reason given. —Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026

The budgetary savings from the city’s dismantling of the green infrastructure office and termination of the office’s director remains unclear. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026

The pink slip on the desk Friday afternoon, a term that comes from factory routing slips color-coded to indicate termination, carried its own bureaucratic poetry. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

The mayor told O'Hara he would be disciplined, which could include his termination. —ABC News, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing termination

• pre-termination

Rhymes for termination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

termination

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: an end or ending of something

especially : a distal end of an anatomical part