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
The observations suggest that the planet's evening terminator — the region rotating out of daylight — is hotter than its morning counterpart.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 June 2026
But at her 3:40 a.m. set, the Australian producer transformed into an EDM terminator, drawing a crowd that stretched all the way from the Port stage to the barricade at Schwarzkopf.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
This photo was taken as the Artemis II crew flew over the terminator, the dividing line between light and darkness on the moon.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover also noted the stark view of the Moon’s terminator, the transition between day and night.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terminator
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.
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 June 2026
But at her 3:40 a.m. set, the Australian producer transformed into an EDM terminator, drawing a crowd that stretched all the way from the Port stage to the barricade at Schwarzkopf.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
This photo was taken as the Artemis II crew flew over the terminator, the dividing line between light and darkness on the moon.
—Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover also noted the stark view of the Moon’s terminator, the transition between day and night.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terminator
Cite this Entry
“Terminator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terminator. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
