terminology

noun

ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce terminology (audio)
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 adjective
terminologically adverb

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
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for terminology

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of terminology was in 1770

Cite this Entry

“Terminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terminology. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

terminology

noun
ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce terminology (audio)
plural terminologies
: the special terms or expressions used in a field
the terminology of law

More from Merriam-Webster on terminology

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