Synonyms

term paper

American

noun

a long essay, report, or the like, written by a student as an assignment over the course of a term or semester.

Etymology

Origin of term paper

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

Will Bunch for The Philadelphia Inquirer: Why Yale’s term paper on what’s wrong with college gets a ‘D-’

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

In fairness, the “American Masters” installment is a tribute, not a term paper — and it’s a splendid homage at that.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but as a young film student trained to think of movies as something to be solved in a term paper, Lynch once frustrated me immensely.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

He had been barred from leaving the building during the raid, which meant he was unable to get home and finish a term paper.

From BBC • May 1, 2024

It was here she had written many a term paper with great success during her student days.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023