noun
Common
tenure
TEHN-yoor
Tenure (noun) means the period of time someone holds a job, office, or position. Example: “The head teacher's tenure lasted ten years and ended with a big party.”
noun
1
The period of time someone holds a job, office, or position.
"The head teacher's tenure lasted ten years and ended with a big party."
"Her short tenure as team captain was full of success."
"During his tenure as mayor, the city built three new parks."
2
A permanent academic position with strong job security, typically granted after a probationary period.
"The young lecturer hopes to gain tenure at the university soon."
"Professors with tenure cannot easily be dismissed from their posts."
"She was awarded tenure after years of published research."
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.
Common pairings
tenure track
granted tenure
during his tenure
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Word forms
- Plural
- tenures
- Third person singular
- tenures
- Past tense
- tenured
Fill the gap
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The head teacher's _____ lasted ten years and ended with a big party.
Etymology
From Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, related to Latin tenere ("to hold").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
