termer

[ tur-mer ]

/ ˈtɜr mər /

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noun

a person who is serving a term, especially in prison (usually used in combination): a first-termer.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of termer

First recorded in 1625–35; term + -er¹

Words nearby termer

Terhune, teriyaki, term, termagant, term day, termer, terminable, terminal, terminal bud, terminal hair, terminal illness

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use termer in a sentence

Usually, for a two-termer, the first term merely sets up conditions for (hoped-for) second-term successes.
Hillary at Foggy Bottom|Michael Tomasky|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I remember well their blood vows to make sure she was a one-termer.
Hillary 2016 Brings Back Boomer Clinton Rage|Michael Tomasky|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The race pits ten-term incumbent Donald Manzullo against Adam Kinzinger, a first termer elected in the GOP wave of 2010.
Romney and Santorum Face Off: 5 Things To Watch For In Illinois|Ben Jacobs|March 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Perriello acknowledges those votes could make him a one-termer.
The Most Courageous Man in DC|Adam Clymer|December 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST

At times tonight, Obama sounded like an embattled second-termer with a 35 percent approval rating.
A Man on His Way to Bitterness|Tucker Carlson|September 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Let it be the right and duty of every citizen to forcibly remove a third termer.
The Attempted Assassination of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt|Oliver Remey
"I intended to kill Theodore Roosevelt, the third termer," was the answer.
The Attempted Assassination of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt|Oliver Remey
Gentlemen of the jury, the danger of the third termer was less in his probable election than in his sure but close defeat.
The Attempted Assassination of ex-President Theodore Roosevelt|Oliver Remey
In a word, he is the impression of the last term, and will be so until the coming of a new term or termer.
Character Writings of the 17th Century|Various

British Dictionary definitions for termer (1 of 2)

termer

/ (ˈtɜːmə) /

noun

a variant spelling of termor

British Dictionary definitions for termer (2 of 2)

-termer

noun

(in combination) a person serving a specified length of time in prisona short-termer

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