terminology
Americannoun
plural
terminologies-
the system of terms belonging or peculiar to a science, art, or specialized subject; nomenclature.
the terminology of botany.
-
the science of terms, as in particular sciences or arts.
noun
-
the body of specialized words relating to a particular subject
-
the study of terms
Other Word Forms
- terminological adjective
- terminologically adverb
- terminologist noun
Etymology
Origin of terminology
1795–1805; < Medieval Latin termin ( us ) term + -o- + -logy
Explanation
Terminology is vocabulary associated with a certain field of study, profession, or activity. Knowing the terminology is an important part of being able to work in a given profession. When your nuclear physicist friends start talking shop and it suddenly sounds like they are speaking a different language, they are probably using nuclear physics terminology. Education terminology includes "rubric," "lesson plan," "pop quiz," "term paper," "student engagement." Medical terminology includes "blood work," "CVC," "scalpel," "set." Lawyers sometimes use legal terminology such as "forthwith," "heretofore" and "the part of the first part" to intimidate people they might want to threaten to sue. It works.
Vocabulary lists containing terminology
Power Suffix: -ology
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Freak the Mighty
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"
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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.
“Radical transparency” and “radical acceptance” are terms that have been co-opted by TikTokers and AI chatbots to coddle people with therapy-speak until the terminology has lost all its meaning.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
Without clear terminology, it can be difficult to distinguish between structures formed by physical forces and those created by living organisms.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
They are ready and I’m loving it and they’re so hip to the game and they know the terminology so I just loved it, man.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
Professors are subject to obsessive student surveillance and called out for deviations from approved terminology.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
While the terminology is well intentioned, it utterly fails to convey the gravity of the situation facing people upon their release from prison.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
