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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Its near-term goal is to increase its production to more than 1 million bpd. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 The study successfully fulfilled the terms of the National Environmental Policy Act. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
This is the second time this summer that Newsom, who is termed out of office, has traveled to other states. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Wade had previously been captured on an FBI wiretap talking to agent Christian Dawkins, who was at the center of what the feds termed Operation Ballerz. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 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
  • Taylor only needs to look back to the two best seasons of his tenure, when the Bengals were 5-4 at a midseason bye each year.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • When the truck driver was ready to retire, his ESOP account, which had been growing throughout his tenure, provided for a secure retirement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • Apparently the trick is to react more to the tone and tempo of the voice, rather than necessarily the precise words.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The same poll found belief that data centers raise electricity bills jumped from 43% in January to nearly 60% by July—six months before Apollo or Morgan Stanley published a word of this research.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • In high school, Campbell befriended a student named Will Reinart.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The novel was also named the Best Book of the Year by Amazon, The New Yorker, and People Magazine, among others.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • That led to a two-year stint as offensive coordinator with the Falcons and then a return to Tuscaloosa for two more seasons as OC, helping Saban win the last of his six national titles with the Crimson Tide in 2020.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • He was hired by ESPN in 1996 and left broadcasting for what became a brief stint coaching the Tampa Bay Lightning in Steven Stamkos' rookie season in 2008-09.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of stint
Noun
  • Song lyrics, phrases, and stray words bob in and out like visitors stopping by for a last laugh or scare.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The lyrics coalesced slowly, with McCartney filling the incomplete sections with nonsense phrases.
    — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of phrase
Verb
  • Polcari and Lucchini emphasized that aerobic fitness reduces sweating and heat suffering, calling high physical fitness nonnegotiable for modern drivers.
    — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • After a 3-2 called third strike with two out to Conine in the ninth was overturned on the ABS review, Zeferjahn retired Otto Lopez on a flyout to right.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • To Michael Ouweleen, who currently serves as president of Cartoon Network, the biggest early opportunities for creative expression came in the form of graphics that aired between shows.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For her, the possibilities extend beyond music itself, into film and theater and other forms of creative expression.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • The league, titled after the Roman numerals for 54 and offering a $54 million bonus if anyone ever shot 54, has nothing left tied to the number.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • So when a cookbook titled Cookie Queen—written by legendary food stylist Susan Spungen—came across my desk, my ears perked up.
    — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of title

Browse Nearby Words

tergiversation
term
termagant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/term. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on term

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about term

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All