1
a
: a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject
legal terms
b
terms plural
: expression of a specified kind
described in glowing terms
2
b
: the whole period for which an estate is granted
also
: the estate or interest held by one for a term
c
: the time during which a court is in session
3
: division in a school year during which instruction is regularly given to students
4
terms plural
: provisions that determine the nature and scope of an agreement : conditions
terms of sale
liberal credit terms
5
6
a
: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates
had her baby at full term
b
: end, termination
also
: a point in time assigned to something (such as a payment)
7
a
: a unitary or compound expression connected with another by a plus or minus sign
b
: an element of a fraction or proportion or of a series or sequence
8
: any of the three substantive elements of a syllogism
9
: a quadrangular pillar often tapering downward and adorned on the top with the figure of a head or the upper part of the body
Examples of term in a Sentence
Noun
“I had the feeling that I had been there before.” “The term for that is ‘déjà vu.’”
That's an outdated term that no one uses anymore.
He spoke about them in glowing terms.
The law had been understood in broad terms.
The governor will run for a second term.
He is currently serving his third term in the U.S. Senate.
He was sentenced to a ten-year term in the state penitentiary.
The term of the contract is 60 months.
His grades have improved since last term.
English 122 is not offered this term.
Verb
They termed the structure a “double helix.”
The project was termed a success.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
No team in the Championship has lost more than the nine points Wrexham have dropped from a winning position this term, a damaging trait that began on the opening day at Southampton when two stoppage-time goals turned a 1-0 win into a dramatic loss.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Both projects were organized to determine if the 68 percent of all mass and energy, collectively termed dark matter, originates from a pure cosmological constant.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for term
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.
Noun
At that meeting, Buchanan's reappointment to a full five-year term on the housing authority's board was rejected in a 6-2 decision, with two city directors absent.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
No team in the Championship has lost more than the nine points Wrexham have dropped from a winning position this term, a damaging trait that began on the opening day at Southampton when two stoppage-time goals turned a 1-0 win into a dramatic loss.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Third-party nationals, as non-EU citizens are termed, are only allowed to spend 90 out of every 180 days in the bloc.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Both projects were organized to determine if the 68 percent of all mass and energy, collectively termed dark matter, originates from a pure cosmological constant.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for term
Cite this Entry
“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/term. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
term
1 of 2 noun2
: a fixed period of time
3
plural
: conditions that limit the nature and scope of something (as an agreement)
could not accept their terms
4
a
: a word or expression that has an exact meaning in some uses or is limited to a particular field
legal terms
b
plural
: words of a particular kind
spoke in glowing terms
5
a
: a mathematical expression (as 3x in x2 + 3x − y) connected to another by a plus or a minus sign
b
: an element (as a numerator) of a fraction or proportion
6
plural
a
: personal relationship
on good terms with the neighbors
b
: agreement sense 1b
come to terms after much compromise
c
: a state of acceptance or understanding
came to terms with the decision
Medical Definition
term
1 of 2 noun
: the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates
had her baby at full term
term
2 of 2 adjective
: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term
a term infant
term births
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share