midterm

[mid-turm]

noun

1. the middle or halfway point of a term, as a school term or term of office.

2. Informal.,  Often midterms. an examination or series of examinations at the middle of a school term.

adjective

1. pertaining to or occurring on or about the middle of a term, as a school term or term of office.

   a midterm recess; midterm elections.

midterm

/ ˈmɪdˈtɜːm /

noun

1. 1. the middle of a term in a school, university, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      midterm exam

2. politics

   1. the middle of a term of office, esp of a presidential term, when congressional and local elections are held

   2. ( as modifier )

      midterm elections

3. 1. the middle of the gestation period

   2. ( as modifier ) See term

      midterm checkup

Word History and Origins

Origin of midterm¹

First recorded in 1865–70; mid- + term

Example Sentences

House delegation by potentially adding another GOP seat ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Read more on Salon

This was the largest midterm personnel turnover in the Central Committee since 2017, when 11 alternates were also promoted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Knowing that these races could be predictive of next year’s midterms, who won and why will dominate headlines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kings don’t have to worry about midterm elections.

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As a result, age has become an unavoidable tension point for Democrats heading into next year’s midterm elections.

Read more on Los Angeles Times