term 1 of 2

noun

ˈtərm How to pronounce term (audio)
Definition of termnext
1
as in tenure
a fixed period of time during which a person holds a job or position elected for a two-year term as mayor

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2
as in word
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field what's the term for the odd feeling that you've experienced an event before?

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term

2 of 2

verb

as in to name
to give a name to the armed forces began a rescue mission termed Operation In and Out

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of term
Noun
In the 1st District, situated near the center of the state, surrounding Richmond, seven Democrats are competing to advance to the general election against nine-term incumbent Wittman. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 On the pitching side, the Yankees are expected to look to upgrade the late-innings portion of their bullpen, and a team source said that the Yankees and New York reliever Luke Weaver didn’t part on bad terms last season. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Carollo was termed out of office at the end of last year. — Miami Herald, 9 June 2026 On the left, an approach that Neem terms post-American has taken root, pushing the arguments of the 1970s in an ever more emphatic direction. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for term
Recent Examples of Synonyms for term
  1. tenure
  2. word
  3. name
  4. stint
  5. phrase
  6. call
  7. expression
  8. title
Noun
  • The stock market has enjoyed robust growth during Lamont’s tenure, especially since the COVID pandemic, and those higher rates have allowed his administration to take maximum advantage of the surge.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Her gift also includes 300 works from her personal art collection, amassed via a combination of trades, gifts, and purchases, as well as her teaching materials and syllabi from her three-decade tenure at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • Chennai claimed him as Thala, a Tamil word meaning leader that functions as something closer to a title of devotion.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Later, the Taurus Moon enters your 3rd House of Communication, helping simple words calm the noise around you today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • The Men’s Senior Selection Committee (SSC) will name the six-man team (one alternate) at the conclusion of Saturday’s competition.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • If goals diverge, name the common aim, then suggest a simple route that honors both needs, and your upbeat spirit will make consensus easier.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • Two years later, the measure has put California on the path of dealing with chronic homelessness through stints of incarceration.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • Ivory Coast international Jean-Philippe Gbamin was full of promise but blighted by injuries, making just eight appearances across a four-year stint at Goodison Park before leaving on a free.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of stint
Noun
  • The randomness of the phrases is meant to be unpredictable, though the software bug present in Coldcard firmware—dating back to March 2021—meant the device was producing seeds with less randomness than advertised.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But the phrase is a useful lens for this newer kind of Chinese statecraft—one of bottom-up investments that compound into interdependence and leverage.
    — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of phrase
Verb
  • Two of the three organizations had no idea until Anthropic called them.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Unbeknownst to David, the system, called WOPR—War Operations Plan Response—is in control of the American nuclear arsenal.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • The accompanying image showed a pair of flip-flops adorned with Moore’s iconic cry-face on the left foot, while the right shows the actress making a more dramatic, less strained expression.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, Georgia lawmakers have introduced legislation targeting banks that use social credit metrics or restrict access based on constitutional expression, aiming to hold financial institutions accountable for ideological bias.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • Bret is obsessed, but is his fixation on Robert the product of lust or an overactive imagination that can’t be fulfilled by his work on a novel titled Less Than Zero?
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Markets pricing is titled slightly toward a rate hike next month, with a better chance coming in October.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of title

Browse Nearby Words

tergiversation
term
termagant
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Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/term. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on term

Nglish: Translation of term for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about term

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