Term meaning

tûrm
Term is defined as to give a name to something.

An example of term is to name a newly discovered organism.

verb
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A limited or established period of time that something is supposed to last, as a school or court session, tenure in public office, or a prison sentence.
noun
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The definition of a term is a word or group of words that has a special meaning, a specific time period or a condition of a contract.

An example of term is "cultural diversity."

An example of term is three months for a college semester.

An example of term is a contract clause that says that payment must be paid by a cashier's check.

noun
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A word or phrase having a limiting and definite meaning in some science, art, etc.

“tergum” is a zoological term.

noun
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Any of the quantities in an equation that are connected to other quantities by a plus sign or a minus sign.
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One of the elements of a proposed or concluded agreement; a condition.

Offered favorable peace terms; one of the terms of the lease; the terms of a divorce settlement.

noun
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To designate; call.
verb
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A point of time designating the beginning or end of a period.
noun
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A set date, as for payment, termination of tenancy, etc.
noun
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(nautical) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.

noun
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The relationship between two people or groups; personal footing.

On good terms with her in-laws.

noun
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Each of the two concepts being compared or related in a proposition.
noun
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A set period of time; duration.
  • A division of a school year, as a semester or quarter, during which a course of studies is given.
  • The stipulated duration of an appointment to a particular office.
    Elected to a four-year term.
  • The normal elapsed period for birth after conception; also, delivery at the end of this period; parturition.
noun
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Conditions of a contract, agreement, sale, etc.
noun
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Mutual relationship between or among persons; footing.

On speaking terms.

noun
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Any word or phrase used in a definite or precise sense; expression.

A technical term.

noun
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Words that express ideas in a specified way.

To speak in derogatory terms.

noun
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A boundary post, esp. one consisting of a pedestal topped by a bust, as of the god Terminus.
noun
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To call by a term; name.
verb
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Terminal.
abbreviation
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Termination.
abbreviation
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A limited period of time.
noun
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The end of a normal gestation period.
noun
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Each of the quantities or expressions that form the parts of a ratio or the numerator and denominator of a fraction.
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noun
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Any of the binding conditions or promises in a legal contract.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing.

noun
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That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.
noun
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(geometry) A point, line, or superficies that limits.

A line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.

noun
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A word or phrase, especially one from a specialised area of knowledge.

"Algorithm" is a term used in computer science.

noun
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Relations among people.

We are on friendly terms with each other.

noun
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Part of a year, especially one of the three parts of an academic year.
noun
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(mathematics) Any value (variable or constant) or expression separated from another term by a space or an appropriate character, in an overall expression or table.

All the terms of this sum cancel out.

One only term is odd in ( 12; 3; 4 ).

noun
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(logic) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.
noun
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(architecture) A quadrangular pillar, adorned on top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr.
noun
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Duration of a set length; period in office of fixed length.

He was sentenced to a term of six years in prison.

Near-term, mid-term and long-term goals.

The term allowed to a debtor to discharge his debt.

noun
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(computing) A terminal emulator, a program that emulates a video terminal.
noun
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(of a patent) The maximum period during which the patent can be maintained into force.
noun
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(astrology) An essential dignity in which unequal segments of every astrological sign have internal rulerships which affect the power and integrity of each planet in a natal chart.
noun
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(archaic) A menstrual period.
noun
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To phrase a certain way, especially with an unusual wording.
verb
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in terms of
  • As measured or indicated by; in units of:.
    Distances expressed in terms of kilometers as well as miles; cheap entertainment, but costly in terms of time wasted.
  • In relation to; with reference to:.
idiom
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bring to terms
  • To reduce to submission; force to agree.
idiom
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come to terms
  • To arrive at an agreement or accommodation.
idiom
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in terms of
  • By means of.
  • With reference to.
idiom
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Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Origin of term

  • Middle English terme from Old French from Latin terminus boundary N., senses 4–8, from Middle English from Medieval Latin terminus from Late Latin mathematical or logical term from Latin boundary, limit
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Middle English terme, from Old French terme, from Latin terminus (“a bound, boundary, limit, end, in Medieval Latin also a time, period, word, covenant, etc.”).
    From Wiktionary

Term Sentence Examples

  • Praying she hadn't missed some term of the deal, she waited for his reaction.

  • I'm sure there's a Latin term for it.

  • I asked, confirming my lack of faith in the couple's long term relationship.

  • Who was it that used the term 'mature male'?

  • Tuition, for instance, is an important item in the term bill, while for the far more valuable education which he gets by associating with the most cultivated of his contemporaries no charge is made.

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Words near term in the Dictionary