term 1 of 2

noun

ˈtərm How to pronounce term (audio)
Definition of termnext
1
as in tenure
a fixed period of time during which a person holds a job or position elected for a two-year term as mayor

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2
as in word
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field what's the term for the odd feeling that you've experienced an event before?

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term

2 of 2

verb

as in to name
to give a name to the armed forces began a rescue mission termed Operation In and Out

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of term
Noun
Tumultuous term as Atlanta mayor Bottoms was elected mayor in 2017, defeating a fellow city council member in a runoff. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026 Credentials that cannot change payment terms provide a separate protection. — Lloyd Marino, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
Quantum particles carrying information that could determine their behavior is termed hidden variables, since this information might not be accessible for scientists to observe it. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 The race for California state treasure is wide open since the current officeholder, Fiona Ma, is termed out and running for lieutenant governor. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for term
Recent Examples of Synonyms for term
  1. tenure
  2. word
  3. name
  4. stint
  5. phrase
  6. call
  7. expression
  8. title
Noun
  • Until a coalition is formed, Netanyahu, who has served 19 years over three tenures as prime minister, remains the head of a caretaker government.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Coming off the most lopsided loss in the two-plus year tenure under coach Bill O’Brien last week at Duke, the Eagles scored on the game’s opening drive with Bo MacCormack III going in for a 6-yard TD run en route to a 10-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • Rifugio, the Italian word for shelter or escape, opened in 2025 to provide a community space with a focus on fitness and self-care.
    — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Those three words were repeated over and over in the first half of Carolina’s 26-21 loss to the Denver Broncos in Bank of America Stadium.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • Four of South Florida's top high school football players have been named finalists for the 2026 CBS Miami Nat Moore Trophy, with fans now getting a chance to help decide who will take home the prestigious award.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte and Safe Alliance were named the bank’s 2026 Neighborhood Builders award recipients.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • Campbell helps Democrats’ numbers in the House, but voted with Republicans on some key bills during her previous stint in office.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Best of luck to Aneha on getting a brand deal when your 12-episode reality show stint only earned you 10,000 followers, and thoughts and prayers with Cam for his upcoming surgery to implant a spine and a pair of balls.
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of stint
Noun
  • Each cookie is aptly named with a phrase or word that’s related to baseball, like the sluggers sourdough, a version of a chocolate chip cookie that Amber makes with sourdough and brown butter and is topped with flaky sea salt.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The flash cards also include additional phrases to help learners understand how words are used in everyday conversation.
    — Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of phrase
Verb
  • But on November 29, 1777, a small group of Spanish settlers moved into the area to establish a civilian agricultural town, called El Pueblo de San Jose, to provide food for the missions and presidios.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The leaves are steeped in a hollowed gourd and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, and the gourd passes from hand to hand among friends, family and sometimes strangers, refilled for hours.
    — ISABEL DEBRE, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • The inaugural inductees are said to represent more than a century of Australian storytelling, creativity and cultural expression and are selected by an expert panel.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The BellaBot Pro, a cat-like delivery robot, with an interactive screen that displays playful facial expressions, was also among the highlights.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • Orley comes to You’ve Got Mail after wrapping post on his third feature, an Amazon comedy titled Close Personal Friends that stars Brie Larson, Jack Quaid, Lilly Collins and Henry Golding.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In a bill submitted to Congress on Monday night titled the Diwali Day Act, Democratic Congresswoman Grace Meng proposes enshrining Diwali as a federal holiday as a rebuttal to the rising tide of South Asian prejudice.
    — Tom Sanders, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of title

Browse Nearby Words

tergiversation
term
termagant
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Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/term. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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