terminology
Americannoun
-
terminologies
plural
-
the system of terms belonging or peculiar to a science, art, or specialized subject; nomenclature.
the terminology of botany.
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the science of terms, as in particular sciences or arts.
noun
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the body of specialized words relating to a particular subject
-
the study of terms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of terminology
1795–1805; < Medieval Latin termin ( us ) term + -o- + -logy
Explanation
Terminology is vocabulary associated with a certain field of study, profession, or activity. Knowing the terminology is an important part of being able to work in a given profession. When your nuclear physicist friends start talking shop and it suddenly sounds like they are speaking a different language, they are probably using nuclear physics terminology. Education terminology includes "rubric," "lesson plan," "pop quiz," "term paper," "student engagement." Medical terminology includes "blood work," "CVC," "scalpel," "set." Lawyers sometimes use legal terminology such as "forthwith," "heretofore" and "the part of the first part" to intimidate people they might want to threaten to sue. It works.
Vocabulary lists containing terminology
Power Suffix: -ology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Mulcahey and other doctors said AI can be helpful in some cases, including to help break down complex medical jargon into patient-friendly terminology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Witkoff agreed: “ ‘Conflict of interest’ is a terminology used by some, and we call it ‘experience,’ we really do.”
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
In finance, complex terminology is frequently used to describe simple ideas.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
“The shared terminology is a natural expression of collective pride in 250 years of American independence.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
Did they keep score—and use all that confusing tennis terminology?
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
“For the human transformation, we don’t need those terminologies — we have exact years,” said Dr. Finney, whose committee would be the last to vote on the working group’s proposal if it gets that far.
From New York Times ● Dec. 17, 2022
Or a long series of practice reps to better understand new systems and terminologies.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 22, 2022
"It's just this connector, but what we're talking about with this is gendered terminologies which are used to describe technology," says Ms Bullesbach.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2022
“They’ll use any platform available, and they will adjust their methods to evade detection, like switching terminologies and using code words.”
From National Geographic ● Dec. 18, 2020
“Oh, you know—when you have millennia of memories in this mortal mind, it’s hard to remember terminologies all the time.”
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
