terminate

[ tur-muh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

1. to bring to an end; put an end to:

   to terminate a contract.

   Synonyms: complete, close, conclude, finish, end

2. to occur at or form the conclusion of:

   The countess's soliloquy terminates the play.

   Synonyms: complete, close, conclude, finish, end

3. to bound or limit spatially; form or be situated at the extremity of.
4. to dismiss from a job; fire:

   to terminate employees during a recession.

verb (used without object)

, ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

1. to end, conclude, or cease.
2. (of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to end a scheduled run at a certain place:

   This train terminates in New York.

3. to come to an end (often followed by at, in, or with ).
4. to issue or result (usually followed by in ).

terminate

/ ˈtɜːmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by in or with to form, be, or put an end (to); conclude

   their relationship terminated amicably

   to terminate a pregnancy

2. tr to connect (suitable circuitry) to the end of an electrical transmission line to absorb the energy and avoid reflections
3. intr maths (of a decimal expansion) to have only a finite number of digits
4. slang.
   tr to kill (someone)

Derived Forms

• ˈterminative, adjective
• ˈterminatory, adjective

Other Words From

• termi·native adjective
• termi·native·ly adverb
• non·termi·native adjective
• non·termi·native·ly adverb
• self-termi·nating adjective
• self-termi·native adjective
• un·termi·nated adjective
• un·termi·nating adjective
• un·termi·native adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terminate¹

1580–90; verbal use of late Middle English terminate (adjective) “limited,” from Latin terminātus, past participle of termināre. See term, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of terminate¹

C16: from Latin terminātus limited, from termināre to set boundaries, from terminus end

Example Sentences

And sometimes, they chose to terminate their pregnancies by having abortions.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, the county filed to terminate his rights based on his mental illness.

From The Daily Beast

Abortifacients, by contrast, are used to terminate an existing pregnancy.

From The Daily Beast

Has the IRS taken actions to terminate the offending employees?

From The Daily Beast

Republic wanted to terminate its obligations and put workers in a 401(k) (or at least a more solvent Teamster pension plan).

From The Daily Beast

And I would respectfully suggest that this interview must definitely terminate the matter one way or the other.

From Project Gutenberg

He had hitherto lived for universal man:—his days should terminate on a different principle.

From Project Gutenberg

In many cases an agency is created for an indefinite period, and in these either party can terminate it whenever he desires.

From Project Gutenberg

To support his rôle as the friend of labor, he must needs terminate the sanguinary struggle.

From Project Gutenberg

Hoping to terminate the thefts, Johnny complained to the overseer, though without accusing Jack.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• abort
• adjourn
• annul
• cancel
• cease
• complete
• conclude
• cut off
• determine
• discharge
• discontinue
• dismiss
• dissolve
• eliminate
• expire
• halt
• put an end to
• recess
• restrict