term
turm
Term (noun) means a word or expression, especially one with a specific meaning in a particular field. Example: “Doctors use the medical term for a broken bone when they write notes.”
noun
1
A word or expression, especially one with a specific meaning in a particular field.
"Doctors use the medical term for a broken bone when they write notes."
"The lecturer explained the technical terms before starting the lesson."
""Bull market" is a term used a lot in finance."
2
A fixed period of time, especially one in office or one dividing an academic year.
"The president is elected for a four-year term."
"School starts again for the new term in September."
"She will serve a second term as head of the council."
3
In plural, the conditions set out in an agreement or contract.
"Make sure you read the terms before signing the lease."
"They negotiated better terms for the loan."
"The terms of the contract say we must give a month's notice."
verb
1
To call or describe something by a particular name.
"She termed the decision "a huge mistake.""
"Some would term his behaviour reckless."
"Scientists term this slow process erosion when it wears away rock."
How to use term
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean a specific word/label, a fixed stretch of time, or (in plural) the conditions of a deal.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "terms" (contract conditions) with "terminology" (a whole set of specialist words).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
technical term
prison term
terms and conditions
on good terms
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Word forms
- Plural
- terms
- Third person singular
- terms
- Past tense
- termed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Doctors use the medical _____ for a broken bone when they write notes.
Etymology
From Old French terme, from Latin terminus, "a boundary or limit."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for term
See all rhymes for term →Frequently asked questions
What does “term” mean?
The word “term” means a word or expression, especially one with a specific meaning in a particular field. In plain terms, can mean a specific word/label, a fixed stretch of time, or (in plural) the conditions of a deal.
How do you pronounce “term”?
“Term” is pronounced turm (/tɝm/ in IPA).
How do you use “term” in a sentence?
Here is “term” used in a sentence: “The lecturer explained the technical terms before starting the lesson.”
What is another word for “term”?
Words with a similar meaning to “term” include axe, fire and sack.
What part of speech is “term”?
Depending on how it is used, “term” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “term” come from?
The word “term” comes from Latin. From Old French terme, from Latin terminus, "a boundary or limit.".
Is “term” a common word?
“Term” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “term” have?
“Term” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a word or expression, especially one with a specific meaning in a particular field.
What is the difference between a term and a word?
Every term is made of words, but not every word is a term. A term is a word or phrase with a defined, specialised meaning in a particular field — like "inflation" in economics. A word is any unit of language. "Term" highlights precise, technical use rather than ordinary vocabulary.
What is a technical term?
A technical term is a word or phrase with an exact meaning inside a specific field, understood clearly by specialists — for example, "photosynthesis" in biology or "equity" in finance. Such terms let experts communicate precisely, though they can puzzle outsiders, which is why plain-language explanations often accompany them.
What is an example of a term?
In law, "plaintiff" is a term with a precise meaning; in music, "crescendo" is another. Everyday examples include "download" in computing or "offside" in football. Each is a word or phrase carrying a defined sense within its field, illustrating how terms package specialised meaning.
What is the difference between a term and jargon?
A term is a single word or phrase with a precise, agreed meaning in a field. Jargon is the broader body of specialised language used by a group, and the word often carries a hint of criticism when it excludes outsiders. Terms are the building blocks; jargon is the overall style.
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