noun
tenure
TEHN-yoor
noun
1
The period of time someone holds a job, office, or position.
"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.
"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
Word Forms
tenured past tense, tenures plural, tenures singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “tenure”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
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").