What does term mean?

Definitions for term
tɜrmterm

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word term.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. termnoun

    a word or expression used for some particular thing

    "he learned many medical terms"

  2. termnoun

    a limited period of time

    "a prison term"; "he left school before the end of term"

  3. condition, termnoun

    (usually plural) a statement of what is required as part of an agreement

    "the contract set out the conditions of the lease"; "the terms of the treaty were generous"

  4. termnoun

    any distinct quantity contained in a polynomial

    "the general term of an algebraic equation of the n-th degree"

  5. termnoun

    one of the substantive phrases in a logical proposition

    "the major term of a syllogism must occur twice"

  6. term, full termnoun

    the end of gestation or point at which birth is imminent

    "a healthy baby born at full term"

  7. terminus, terminal figure, termverb

    (architecture) a statue or a human bust or an animal carved out of the top of a square pillar; originally used as a boundary marker in ancient Rome

  8. termverb

    name formally or designate with a term

Wiktionary

  1. termnoun

    limitation, restriction or regulation.

    terms and conditions

  2. termnoun

    word or phrase, especially one from a specialised area of knowledge.

  3. termnoun

    Relations among people.

    We are on friendly terms with each other.

  4. termnoun

    part of a year, especially one of the three parts of an academic year.

  5. termnoun

    any value (variable or constant) or expression separated from another term by a space or an appropriate character, in an overall expression or table.

  6. termnoun

    duration of a set length; period in office of fixed length.

  7. termnoun

    a terminal emulator, a program that emulates a video terminal

  8. termnoun

    the maximum period during which the patent can be maintained into force

  9. termnoun

    an essential dignity in which unequal segments of every astrological sign have internal rulerships which affect the power and integrity of each planet in a natal chart

  10. termverb

    To phrase a certain way, especially with an unusual wording.

  11. termnoun

    a menstrual period.

  12. Etymology: From terme, from terme, from terminus.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Termnoun

    Etymology: terminus, Latin.

    Corruption is a reciprocal to generation; and they two are as nature’s two terms or boundaries, and the guides to life and death. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist. №. 328.

    To apply notions philosophical to plebeian terms, or to say, where the notions cannot fitly be reconciled, that there wanteth a term or nomenclature for it, be but shifts of ignorance. Francis Bacon.

    Those parts of nature into which the chaos was divided, they signified by dark and obscure names, which we have expressed in their plain and proper terms. Burnet.

    In painting, the greatest beauties cannot always be expressed for want of terms. Dryden.

    Had the Roman tongue continued vulgar, it would have been necessary, from the many terms of art required in trade and in war, to have made great additions to it. Jonathan Swift.

    Would curses kill, as doth the mandrakes groan,
    I would invent as bitter searching terms,
    As curst, as harsh, as horrible to hear. William Shakespeare.

    God to satan first his doom apply’d,
    Though in mysterious terms. John Milton.

    Well, on my terms thou wilt not be my heir? Dryden.

    Enjoy thy love, since such is thy desire,
    Live though unhappy, live on any terms. Dryden.

    Did religion bestow heaven without any terms or conditions, indifferently upon all, there would be no infidel. Richard Bentley.

    We flattered ourselves with reducing France to our own terms by the want of money, but have been still disappointed by the great sums imported from America. Addison.

    I am thy father’s spirit,
    Doom’d for a certain term to walk the night. William Shakespeare.

    Why should Rome fall a moment ere her time:
    No; let us draw her term of freedom out
    In its full length, and spin it to the last. Addison.

    The term suiters may speed their business: for the end of these sessions delivereth them space enough to overtake the beginning of the terms. Carew.

    Too long vacation hasten’d on his term. John Milton.

    Those men employed as justices daily in term time consult with one another. Matthew Hale.

    What are these to those vast heaps of crimes
    Which terms prolong. Dryden.

  2. To Termverb

    To name; to call.

    Etymology: from the noun.

    Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe imaginary space, as if no body existed in it. John Locke.

ChatGPT

  1. term

    Term can have various meanings depending on the context, but generally it refers to a word or phrase used to describe or represent a concept, idea, object, or action. In the context of language, a term is a distinct unit of meaning that can be used in communication and understood by others. It can also refer to a specified period of time or a set duration. In the legal field, a term can describe conditions or provisions specified in a contract or agreement.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Termnoun

    that which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary

  2. Termnoun

    the time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life

  3. Termnoun

    in universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms

  4. Termnoun

    a point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid

  5. Termnoun

    a fixed period of time; a prescribed duration

  6. Termnoun

    the limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years

  7. Termnoun

    a space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation

  8. Termnoun

    the time in which a court is held or is open for the trial of causes

  9. Termnoun

    the subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice

  10. Termnoun

    a word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term

  11. Termnoun

    a quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; -- called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3

  12. Termnoun

    a member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd

  13. Termnoun

    the menses

  14. Termnoun

    propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions

  15. Termnoun

    in Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents

  16. Termnoun

    a piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail

  17. Termnoun

    to apply a term to; to name; to call; to denominate

Wikidata

  1. Term

    A term is a period of duration, time or occurrence, in relation to an event. To differentiate an interval or duration, common phrases are used to distinguish the observance of length are near-term or short-term, medium-term or mid-term and long-term. It is also used as part of a calendar year, especially one of the three parts of an academic term and working year in the United Kingdom; Michaelmas term, Lent term or Easter term, the equivalent to the American semester. In America there is a midterm election held in the middle of the four-year presidential term, there are also academic midterm exams. In economics, it is the period required for economic agents to reallocate resources, and generally reestablish equilibrium. The actual length of this period, usually numbered in years or decades, varies widely depending on circumstantial context. During the long term, all factors are variable. In finance or financial operations of borrowing and investing, what is considered long-term is usually above 3 years, with medium-term usually between 1 and 3 years and short-term usually under 1 year.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Term

    tėrm, n. any limited period: the time for which anything lasts: the time during which the courts of law are open: certain days on which rent is paid: that by which a thought is expressed, a word or expression: a condition or arrangement (gener. in pl.): (alg.) a member of a compound quantity.—v.t. to apply a term to: to name or call.—n. Term′er, one who attends a court term, often with the sense of a shifty rogue: one holding an estate for a term of years—also Term′or.—adj. Terminolog′ical.—adv. Terminology′ically.—n. Terminol′ogy, doctrine of terms: the terms used in any art, science, &c.—adj. Term′less, having no term or end: (Spens.) unlimited, boundless.—adv. Term′ly, term by term.—Be on terms with, to be on friendly relations with; Bring to terms, to compel to the acceptance of conditions; Come to terms, to come to an agreement: to submit; Eat one's terms (see Eat); In terms of, in the language peculiar to anything, in modes of; Keep a term, to give the regular attendance during a period of study; Major term, in a syllogism, that which is the predicate of the conclusion; the Minor term, that which is the subject of the conclusion; Make terms, to come to an agreement; Speak in terms, to speak plainly; Stand upon one's terms (with), to insist upon conditions. [Fr. terme—L. terminus, a boundary.]

Editors Contribution

  1. term

    A specific period of time.

    The term time differs in different countries.


    Submitted by MaryC on February 22, 2020  


  2. term

    An expression of language.

    The term to describe the flow was moving accurately with moderate effort.


    Submitted by MaryC on April 8, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. TERM

    What does TERM stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the TERM acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'term' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #825

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'term' in Written Corpus Frequency: #804

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'term' in Nouns Frequency: #90

  4. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'term' in Verbs Frequency: #967

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce term?

How to say term in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of term in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of term in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of term in a Sentence

  1. Christopher Conselice:

    Our new research suggests that searches for extraterrestrial intelligent civilizations not only reveals the existence of how life forms, but also gives us clues for how long our own civilization will last, if we find that intelligent life is common then this would reveal that our civilization could exist for much longer than a few hundred years, alternatively if we find that there are no active civilizations in our Galaxy it is a bad sign for our own long-term existence. By searching for extraterrestrial intelligent life — even if we find nothing — we are discovering our own future and fate.

  2. Bill Gross:

    The real market and the real economy await a different conclusion as losses from negative rates result in capital losses, not capital gains, investors cannot make money when money yields nothing. Unless... nominal GDP can be raised to levels that allow central banks to normalize short-term interest rates, then south instead of north is the logical direction for markets.

  3. Jon Voight:

    There are a lot of conservatives in Hollywood, and they’re not very welcome, Voight told the December issue of Cigar Afficiando. It’s a big surprise that we’ve come to this juncture where people with patriotic thoughts could not find a home in Hollywood. i think the word ‘progressive’ is a very devious term. It was created as a substitute for ‘communist,’ he said. What they propose is the reverse of progress. It’s some that that does taste of communism and Karl Marx’s pernicious philosophy.

  4. Madani Mezrag:

    It is not just about achieving power, it's more about convincing people about your project for society. It's a long-term project.

  5. Wanlop Tangkananurak:

    Surrogacy business leaves too much long-term trouble for Thailand, so we are banning foreign couples from seeking surrogacy in our country to avoid being a hub and to prevent what we saw last year.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

term#1#676#10000

Translations for term

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"term." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 3 Oct. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/term>.

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1 Comment
  • Dawn Copley
    Dawn Copley
    DefineMontimes
    LikeReply9 years ago

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the act of carrying something
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