terminology

noun

ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē 

plural terminologies

1

: the technical or special terms used in a business, art, science, or special subject

2

: nomenclature as a field of study

terminological

ˌtər-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

terminologically

ˌtər-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• vocabulary
• dialect
• language
• slang
• jargon
• idiom

Examples of terminology in a Sentence

a lexicon covering the terminologies of several scientific fields

the terminology favored by sportscasters

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t let the cold terminology fool you — pixie dust still abounds, just with a keener sense of connecting every facet of the company. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 July 2025

Avoid industry-specific terminology that may not be familiar to the reader, as well as unnecessary acronyms. —Andrew Roberts, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

LaPaglia, 55, made light of the situation by making jokes using terminology fans of the show would recognize. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 30 June 2025

With the arrival of printing, the new terminology created more opportunities for lexical growth, as did the publishing industry; and the emergence of the internet has produced still more. —David Crystal june 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin terminus term, expression (from Latin, limit) + English -o- + -logy

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terminology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

terminology

noun

ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 

plural terminologies

: the special terms or expressions used in a field

the terminology of law