terminator

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tor ˈtər-mə-ˌnā-tər 

1

: the dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of the moon's or a planet's disk

2

: one that terminates

Examples of terminator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the early hours of March 12, the terminator will have swept past the Montes Apenninus, hiding them from view. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026

This is prime time for lunar viewing, with shadows from mountains and craters stretched dramatically close to the terminator — the line between lunar night and day. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Their goal is to use the terminator model to provide businesses with better solar forecasts. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025

Rachel LaMont was an absolute puzzle terminator on Survivor 47, dominating the brain-teasers during the pre-merge stage of the game, and then winning the final hanging bat puzzle immunity contest on her way to becoming the Sole Survivor. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for terminator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator