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ter

1 American  
[tur] / tɜr /

adverb

  1. (in prescriptions) three times.

ter- 2 American  

  1. a combining form meaning “thrice,” used in the formation of compound words.

    tercentennial.
ter. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. (in prescriptions) rub.

ter. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. terrace.

  2. territorial.

  3. territory.

ter- British  

combining form

  1. three, third, or three times

    tercentenary
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ter1

From Latin

Origin of ter-2

< Latin, combining form of ter; akin to trēs three

Origin of ter.3

From the Latin word tere

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.

Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo surgery on his injured hamstring on Friday, his club Girona confirmed on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed Tuesday reports that veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will join neighbours Girona on loan.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

“We have example sentences that can help the deepfake therapist stress that,” says ter Heide.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

“We have especially been looking at who is big into snacking and refreshment—Coke, Pepsi, Mondelez—who is not in Unilever,” ter Kulve said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

“But it’s gonna be spectacular, I’ll tell yeh that. Them champions’re going ter have their work cut out. Never thought I’d live ter see the Triwizard Tournament played again!”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

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.