terminal
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for terminal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use terminal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin terminalis, "pertaining to a boundary or end," from terminus, "a limit."
Full origin of terminal →Frequently asked questions
What does “terminal” mean?
The word “terminal” means a building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries. In plain terms, a place or point marking the end of something — an airport building, a computer screen, an electrical connector, or (as an adjective) fatal.
How do you pronounce “terminal”?
“Terminal” is pronounced TMIH-nuhl (/ˈtɚmɪnəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “terminal” in a sentence?
Here is “terminal” used in a sentence: “Flight 204 departs from Terminal 2.”
What is the opposite of “terminal”?
The opposite of “terminal” — its antonyms — are non-terminal, early and initial.
What part of speech is “terminal”?
Depending on how it is used, “terminal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “terminal” come from?
The word “terminal” comes from Latin. From Latin terminalis, "pertaining to a boundary or end," from terminus, "a limit.".
Is “terminal” a common word?
“Terminal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “terminal” have?
“Terminal” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries.
What is the difference between a terminal and a station?
A terminal is usually the endpoint of a route, the building where passengers finally board or leave planes, trains, or ferries, while a station can be any stop along a line. Airports use "terminal" for their passenger buildings, whereas railways use both, often reserving "terminal" for the end of the line.
What is the difference between a terminal and a gate at an airport?
A terminal is the whole building where passengers check in, pass security, and wait, while a gate is a single doorway within that terminal where you actually board the plane. A large airport has several terminals, each containing many gates.
Does 'terminal' mean a computer or a place to catch a plane?
"Terminal" has both meanings: it can be a building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries, or a device with a screen and keyboard used to enter and view data on a computer or network. Context makes the meaning clear, as in "airport terminal" versus "computer terminal."
What is the difference between a bus terminal and a bus depot?
A bus terminal is the passenger-facing building where people board and leave buses, whereas a depot is mainly where buses are parked, stored, and maintained. Some depots also handle passengers, but "terminal" specifically emphasizes the boarding function.