term

B1 Topic:Communication

Also spelled termth

US /tɝm/ UK /tɜːm/ See IPA manual

Freq #2938

Meanings

1

noun
A word or phrase used to name a particular thing, often in a special field.

The doctor explained the medical term in simple language.
2

noun
A fixed or limited period of time.

He was sentenced to a prison term of five years.
3

noun
One of the conditions or rules in an agreement or contract.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you sign.
4

noun
One of the divisions of a school or university year.

The autumn term begins in September.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

axe fire sack

Word family

Forms termedterming

Derived forms fixed-termhalf-termj-termlate-termlong-termmedium-termmid-termmidtermnear-termposttermshort-termterm-limit

Related forms idiomlexemelexicalizationlistemeterminal terminateterminographerterminographyterminologicterminologicalterminologicallyterminology

Appears in

Phrases (6)

See all

long-term relationship
A romantic or professional connection that has lasted for a significant period

Adjective + noun
long-term plan
a strategy designed to achieve goals over an extended period of time

Adjective + noun
presidential term
the period during which someone holds the office of president

Adjective + noun
slang term
a very informal word or expression used by a particular group

Noun + noun
generic term
a word or phrase that names a broad class rather than one specific member

Adjective + noun
euphemistic term
a mild or indirect expression used instead of one considered harsh or embarrassing

Adjective + noun

Idioms (2)

See all

in the long run
Matching variant: in the long term

over a long period of time; eventually
term sheet
a non-binding summary of the key terms of a proposed investment

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *terh₂-? Proto-Indo-European *ter-? Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥der. Proto-Italic *termenos Latin terminus Old French termebor. Middle English terme English term From Middle English terme, borrowed from Old French terme, from Latin terminus (“a bound, boundary, limit, end; in Medieval Latin, also a time, period, word, covenant, etc.”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥ (“stump, end, boundary”). Doublet of terminus and termon. Old English had termen, from the same source.

terme Middle English terminus Latin *térmn̥ Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Communication

External links

# term

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /tɝm/
**IPA (UK):** /tɜːm/
**Frequency rank:** 2938

## Meanings
1. A word or phrase used to name a particular thing, often in a special field.
2. A fixed or limited period of time.
3. One of the conditions or rules in an agreement or contract.
4. One of the divisions of a school or university year.

## Examples
- The doctor explained the medical term in simple language.
- He was sentenced to a prison term of five years.
- Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you sign.
- The autumn term begins in September.

## Synonyms
- axe
- fire
- sack

## Derived Forms
- fixed-term
- half-term
- j-term
- late-term
- long-term
- medium-term
- mid-term
- midterm
- near-term
- postterm
- short-term
- term-limit

## Related Forms
- idiom
- lexeme
- lexicalization
- listeme
- terminal
- terminate
- terminographer
- terminography
- terminologic
- terminological
- terminologically
- terminology

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: terme
- Root: terminus
- Root: *térmn̥

## Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *terh₂-? Proto-Indo-European *ter-? Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥der. Proto-Italic *termenos Latin terminus Old French termebor. Middle English terme English term From Middle English terme, borrowed from Old French terme, from Latin terminus (“a bound, boundary, limit, end; in Medieval Latin, also a time, period, word, covenant, etc.”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥ (“stump, end, boundary”). Doublet of terminus and termon. Old English had termen, from the same source.

## AI Etymology
Term is from Middle English terme, borrowed from Old French terme, from Latin terminus (“a bound, boundary, limit, end; in Medieval Latin, also a time, period, word, covenant, etc.”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥ (“stump, end, boundary”). Doublet of terminus and termon. Old English had termen, from the same source. In present-day use, it can mean a word or phrase used to name a particular thing, often in a special field, or a fixed or limited period of time.

## Topics
- Communication

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