tenured

American  

[ten-yerd] / ˈtɛn yərd /

adjective

1. of, having, or eligible for tenure, especially in a college or university.

   There are three tenured professors in the history department.

2. granting, allowing, or leading to tenure.

   None of the advertised jobs is a tenured position.

---

tenured British  

/ ˈtɛnjʊəd, ˈtɛnjəd /

adjective

1. 1. having tenure of office

      a tenured professor

   2. guaranteeing tenure of office

      a tenured post

---

Etymology

Origin of tenured

First recorded in 1960–65; tenure + -ed ³

Example Sentences

As a tenured professor at the University of Maryland, he studied cancer, HIV and other infectious diseases.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The school may, for example, begin allowing tenured professors to take longer leaves to work on companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

In denying Acuña’s request for a tenured position, the judge argued that the hostility between Acuña and his potential co-workers would make his appointment “both impractical and inappropriate.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Not having that visibility can matter when it comes to achievements like being offered a tenured position — the height of stability in academia.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Her voice sounds irritated and impatient, like some of Dad’s tenured colleagues at school who Dad says are just counting the days till retirement.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman