tenure
Tenure (noun) means the period of time someone holds a job, office, or position. Example: “During his tenure as mayor, the city built three new parks.”
How to use tenure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the length of time someone holds a role, or a secure, permanent teaching position at a university.
Word forms
tenured past tense, tenures plural, tenures singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
During his _____ as mayor, the city built three new parks.
Etymology
From Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, related to Latin tenere ("to hold").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tenure
See all rhymes for tenure →Frequently asked questions
What does “tenure” mean?
The word “tenure” means the period of time someone holds a job, office, or position. In plain terms, either the length of time someone holds a role, or a secure, permanent teaching position at a university.
How do you pronounce “tenure”?
“Tenure” is pronounced TEHN-yoor (/ˈtɛn.jɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tenure” in a sentence?
Here is “tenure” used in a sentence: “During his tenure as mayor, the city built three new parks.”
What part of speech is “tenure”?
“Tenure” is a noun.
Where does the word “tenure” come from?
The word “tenure” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, related to Latin tenere ("to hold").
Is “tenure” a common word?
“Tenure” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tenure” have?
“Tenure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the period of time someone holds a job, office, or position.
What is the difference between tenure and term?
Tenure is the period during which someone actually holds a job, office, or position, while a term is a fixed, defined length set for an office, such as a four-year term. Tenure describes how long a person serves; a term sets the official limit.
What is the difference between tenure and tenor?
Tenure means the period someone holds a position, or a permanent academic post, while tenor refers to a high male singing voice or the general meaning of something. The two words sound similar but are unrelated in meaning.
What is the difference between tenure and seniority?
Tenure is the length of time a person has held a position, while seniority is the rank or priority that often comes from having longer tenure. Tenure measures time; seniority measures the standing that time can earn.