terminal
TMIH-nuhl
Terminal (noun) means a building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries. Example: “Flight 204 departs from Terminal 2.”
noun
1
A building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries.
"Flight 204 departs from Terminal 2."
"We waited in the ferry terminal for over an hour."
"Our coach dropped us at the main terminal just before dawn."
2
A device with a screen and keyboard used to enter and view data on a computer or network.
"The developer opened a terminal to run the command."
"Each checkout has its own payment terminal."
"The librarian looked up the book on the computer terminal."
3
A point on an electrical device where a wire connects to complete a circuit.
"Attach the red cable to the positive terminal on the battery."
"Check that the wire is tightly fastened to the terminal."
"A loose terminal can stop the torch from working."
adj
1
Relating to or in the final stage of a fatal illness.
"He was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year."
"The hospice cares for patients with terminal illnesses."
"Doctors told the family that her condition was terminal and treatment would only ease the pain."
2
Situated at or forming the end of something.
"The terminal station marks the end of the rail line."
"The terminal stage of the journey was a short walk along the river."
"Moss grows at the terminal end of each branch on this tree."
How to use terminal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place or point marking the end of something — an airport building, a computer screen, an electrical connector, or (as an adjective) fatal.
Common mistake
A "terminal illness" means it will end in death — don't use "terminal" loosely for any serious illness.
Common pairings
airport terminal
computer terminal
terminal illness
battery terminal
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Word forms
- Plural
- terminals
- Third person singular
- terminals
- Past tense
- terminaled, terminalled
- Comparative
- more terminal
- Superlative
- most terminal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Flight 204 departs from _____ 2.
Etymology
From Latin terminalis, "pertaining to a boundary or end," from terminus, "a limit."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for terminal
See all rhymes for 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.
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