a word or group of words designating something, especially in a particular field, as atom in physics, quietism in theology, adze in carpentry, or district leader in politics.
any word or group of words considered as a member of a construction or utterance.
the time or period through which something lasts.
a period of time to which limits have been set.
elected for a term of four years.
one of two or more divisions of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided.
an appointed or set time or date, as for the payment of rent, interest, wages, etc.
terms,
conditions with regard to payment, price, charge, rates, wages, etc..
reasonable terms.
conditions or stipulations limiting what is proposed to be granted or done.
the terms of a treaty.
footing or standing; relations.
on good terms with someone.
Obsolete. state, situation, or circumstances.
Algebra, Arithmetic.
each of the members of which an expression, a series of quantities, or the like, is composed, as one of two or more parts of an algebraic expression.
a mathematical expression of the form axp, axpyq, etc., where a, p, and q are numbers and x and y are variables.
Logic.
the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
the word or expression denoting the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
Also called terminus. a figure, especially of Terminus, in the form of a herm, used by the ancient Romans as a boundary marker; terminal figure.
Law.
an estate or interest in land or the like, to be enjoyed for a fixed period.
the duration of an estate.
each of the periods during which certain courts of law hold their sessions.
completion of pregnancy; parturition.
Archaic.
end, conclusion, or termination.
boundary or limit.
bring to terms, to force to agree to stated demands or conditions; bring into submission.
After a long struggle, we brought them to terms.
come to terms,
to reach an agreement; make an arrangement.
to come to terms with a creditor.
to become resigned or accustomed.
to come to terms with one's life.
eat one's terms, to study for the bar; be a law student.
in terms of, with regard to; concerning.
The book offers nothing in terms of a satisfactory conclusion.
terminal.
termination.
a name, expression, or word used for some particular thing, esp in a specialized field of knowledge
a medical term
any word or expression
a limited period of time
his second term of office
a prison term
any of the divisions of the academic year during which a school, college, etc, is in session
a point in time determined for an event or for the end of a period
Also called: full term. the period at which childbirth is imminent
law
an estate or interest in land limited to run for a specified period
a term of years
the duration of an estate, etc
(formerly) a period of time during which sessions of courts of law were held
time allowed to a debtor to settle
maths either of the expressions the ratio of which is a fraction or proportion, any of the separate elements of a sequence, or any of the individual addends of a polynomial or series
logic
the word or phrase that forms either the subject or predicate of a proposition
a name or variable, as opposed to a predicate
one of the relata of a relation
any of the three subjects or predicates occurring in a syllogism
Also called: terminal. terminus. terminal figure. architect a sculptured post, esp one in the form of an armless bust or an animal on the top of a square pillar
Australian rules football the usual word for quarter
archaic a boundary or limit
Each of the quantities or expressions that form the parts of a ratio or the numerator and denominator of a fraction.
Any of the quantities in an equation that are connected to other quantities by a plus sign or a minus sign.
What is a term? In algebra, a term is an individual number or variable or a combination of them, such as 7, x, or 5y. In a similar way, a term is also a word or a group of words, especially those that belong to a specific field. For example, modifier is a grammar term used to describe a word or phrase that limits or qualifies something else. A term can also be any word or phrase. We use term in these articles to describe the word or phrase we’re talking about (check out “Where does term come from?” below for an example). Its plural form, terms, can refer to a set of rules or conditions, such as the terms for repaying a loan or the terms for a truce. To term something is to name or designate something, as in Rainey termed her mother’s angry look the “Rainey Is in Trouble” look. Term can also do with time. Any period of time with a beginning and an end can be called a term. A division of a school year is often called a term, as is the period a politician serves in a specific office. A US president serves a term of four years and can only serve two terms, for example. Example: Always read the terms of service before signing on to a new service.
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English terme, from Old French, from Latin terminus “boundary, limit, end”; akin to Greek térmōn “limit”
A term is a word or expression used with a particular meaning. "Rap," "punk," "grunge," and "heavy metal" are terms that describe particular styles of music. "Sweetie" is a term of endearment, at least to most people. Terms can also mean the conditions of an agreement: when you rent an apartment, you agree to certain terms — that you'll pay the rent, you won't have loud parties, etc. If you're "on good terms with someone," you like each other. Term can also be a defined period of time. Spring term at school is the spring semester, and you may be assigned a term paper — to demonstrate how brilliant you've become during that time period.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While China’s reported progress on DUV systems is another signal that U.S. export controls are accelerating the country’s efforts for self-sufficiency, Jablonski said that’s something to watch over the long term.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
However, his game time was more limited last term, appearing in 36 matches across all competitions in Guardiola's final campaign as boss.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
With less than six months until the end of his term in office, Guterres flew to the divided Mediterranean island on the first visit by a UN secretary general since Ban Ki-moon's visit in 2010.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
He expects earnings and cash flow contributions from new vessel deliveries and offshore projects to come onstream gradually through 2030, supporting steady dividend growth over the longer term.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
“I thought you preferred the term ‘eccentric philanthropist.’”
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
Although Donald Trump has acknowledged being aware of the term “America First” and its historical context, he has nevertheless called it “a brand-new modern term. I never related it to the past.”
From Salon ● May 21, 2026
“I’ve always believed that stronger guardrails are actually good for business over the long term. Safer tech means better outcomes for consumers and greater consumer trust and loyalty.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2025
“I would say we’re really focused on the long term. Trust and safety bets can often involve short-term trade offs on the business side,” Roth said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2025
"So we have to invest for the long term. I think any shift away from that funding is incredibly damaging."
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2024
“Fine, Brother, fine. In fact, I thought ... I mean, I was aiming for high honors this term. But now, this F ...” “I know,” the teacher said, shaking his head sorrowfully, in commiseration.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
In Premier League terms, even when discounting the gulf in experience, Pickford boasts an undeniable edge.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
This was 1% higher than a year earlier in reported terms and up 2% excluding currency and portfolio changes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"We're not going to give a number today in terms of people changes," GSK chief executive Luke Miels told a call with media.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
The iPhone and Apple Watch will be offered on 12- and 24-month terms while iPad and Mac will be on 24- and 36-month terms.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
“However, the terms of the curse are clear. They say that only one side of the family can remain, or both will perish. I would argue that only one side does remain.”
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
It’s not “human cockfighting,” as John McCain termed it in 1996 while pushing for a ban on the sport—preliminary research suggests that both football and boxing cause more brain damage than MMA.
From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026
Asked about Burnham's ambitions, Lord Hermer refused to engage in what he termed speculation.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
Prosecutors had asked for a stiff sentence for what they termed a “massive fraud” that involved hundreds of thousands of victims.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
Three candidates are competing for an open seat in District 3, where Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has termed out of office.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2026
“This fraction of which the denominator is a cipher, is termed an infinite quantity,” writes Bhaskara, a twelfth-century Indian mathematician, who tells of what happens when you add a number to 1 + 0.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
The district is the poorest the city, and the council race is expected to be one of the most competitive city contests this June, with the current council member, Curren Price, terming out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
With Councilmember Curren Price terming out in District 9, six candidates are vying to represent parts of downtown and South L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 14, 2026
Board members left the door open for Carvalho’s return by terming Chait an “acting superintendent,” to fill in temporarily.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
She added that the pieces would soon be opened to the public for research and academic study, terming the move a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2025
McKissick also defended the phrase, terming it an inevitable response to the “dashed hopes and mangled dreams of a people and a result of the ineffectiveness of the nonviolent movement.”
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
