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 termination of the New START Treaty would set the stage for what many fear could be an unconstrained nuclear arms race. —Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026

The termination is part of a huge bill that includes budgets for transportation, defense, labor, housing and urban development, and other agencies. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The termination of Douglas Luiz’s loan move from Juventus — to enable him to return to Aston Villa — and the decision to cut short Oleksandr Zinchenko’s loan from Arsenal, to facilitate a move to Ajax, will have saved a significant amount in wages. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Haitians are grateful the immediate termination is on hold. —Tony Aiello, CBS News, 4 Feb. 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