terminate

[tur-muh-neyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR terminate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

to bring to an end; put an end to: to terminate a contract.

to occur at or form the conclusion of: The countess's soliloquy terminates the play.

to bound or limit spatially; form or be situated at the extremity of.

to dismiss from a job; fire: to terminate employees during a recession.

verb (used without object), ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

to end, conclude, or cease.

(of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to end a scheduled run at a certain place: This train terminates in New York.

to come to an end (often followed by at, in, or with).

to issue or result (usually followed by in).

Origin of terminate

1580–90; v. use of late Middle English terminate (adj.) limited < Latin terminātus, past participle of termināre. See term, -ate¹

Related formster·mi·na·tive, adjectiveter·mi·na·tive·ly, adverbnon·ter·mi·na·tive, adjectivenon·ter·mi·na·tive·ly, adverbself-ter·mi·nat·ing, adjectiveself-ter·mi·na·tive, adjectiveun·ter·mi·nat·ed, adjectiveun·ter·mi·nat·ing, adjectiveun·ter·mi·na·tive, adjective

Can be confuseddownsize fire lay off rightsize terminate

Synonyms for terminate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR terminate ON THESAURUS.COM

1, 2. end, finish, conclude, close, complete.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for terminate

recess, conclude, sack, restrict, abort, cease, determine, cancel, complete, abolish, eliminate, halt, discontinue, dismiss, expire, adjourn, discharge, annul, dissolve, perfect

Examples from the Web for terminate

Contemporary Examples of terminate

And sometimes, they chose to terminate their pregnancies by having abortions.
Is This the Return of Back Alley Abortions?
Sally Kohn
October 7, 2014
Instead, the county filed to terminate his rights based on his mental illness.
One Breakdown Can Mean Losing Your Kid Forever
ProPublica
May 30, 2014
Abortifacients, by contrast, are used to terminate an existing pregnancy.
Is Forced Religious Belief Coming to an Employer Near You?
Jamelle Bouie
November 27, 2013
Has the IRS taken actions to terminate the offending employees?
IRS Singled Out Conservative Groups for Extra Scrutiny
Megan McArdle
May 10, 2013
Republic wanted to terminate its obligations and put workers in a 401(k) (or at least a more solvent Teamster pension plan).
How the IRS Wrecked Your Pension
Megan McArdle
May 9, 2013

Historical Examples of terminate

All you will regret is, that she comes to terminate my visit, and take me away with her.
Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
I hope that will not terminate my engagement, sir, or render me useless?'
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
He had never seen the instrument that was to terminate his life.
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
He was only enjoying an interview—a vengeance—he was loath to terminate.
The Big Tomorrow
Paul Lohrman
I know, and I tell you frankly, but only you, that my career in the police may terminate in consequence.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum

British Dictionary definitions for terminate

terminate

verb

(when intr, often foll by in or with) to form, be, or put an end (to); concludeto terminate a pregnancy; their relationship terminated amicably

(tr) to connect (suitable circuitry) to the end of an electrical transmission line to absorb the energy and avoid reflections

(intr) maths (of a decimal expansion) to have only a finite number of digits

(tr) slang to kill (someone)

Derived Formsterminative, adjectiveterminatory, adjective

Word Origin for terminate

C16: from Latin terminātus limited, from termināre to set boundaries, from terminus end

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

Word Origin and History for terminate

1610s, "to bring to an end," from Latin terminatus, past participle of terminare "to limit, end" (see terminus). Sense of "to come to an end" is recorded from 1640s; meaning "dismiss from a job" is recorded from 1973; that of "to assassinate" is from 1975. Related: Terminated; terminating.