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noun Common

termination

tmih-NAY-shuhn

Termination (noun) means the act of ending something, or the state of having ended. Example: “The termination of the lease took effect at the end of the month.”

noun
1
The act of ending something, or the state of having ended.
"The termination of the lease took effect at the end of the month."
2
The ending of someone's employment.
"His termination came as a shock to the whole department."
3
The deliberate ending of a pregnancy.
"She discussed the decision to have a termination with her doctor."

How to use termination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe ending of something — a contract, a job, or a pregnancy.

Common pairings
termination of employment early termination termination clause

Word forms

terminations plural

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Test yourself on “termination” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the lease took effect at the end of the month.

Etymology

From Latin terminationem, "a bounding, determining," from terminare, "to set limits to."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for termination

See all rhymes for termination →

Frequently asked questions

What does “termination” mean?

The word “termination” means the act of ending something, or the state of having ended. In plain terms, the ending of something — a contract, a job, or a pregnancy.

How do you pronounce “termination”?

“Termination” is pronounced tmih-NAY-shuhn (/tɚmɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “termination” in a sentence?

Here is “termination” used in a sentence: “The termination of the lease took effect at the end of the month.”

What part of speech is “termination”?

“Termination” is a noun.

Where does the word “termination” come from?

The word “termination” comes from Latin. From Latin terminationem, "a bounding, determining," from terminare, "to set limits to.".

Is “termination” a common word?

“Termination” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “termination” have?

“Termination” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of ending something, or the state of having ended.

What is the difference between termination and resignation?

Termination refers to an employer ending someone's employment, while resignation is when the employee chooses to leave voluntarily. The distinction matters legally, since termination can involve severance rights or claims that resignation typically does not.

What does "termination" mean in a medical context?

In a medical context, termination refers to the deliberate ending of a pregnancy, commonly known as an abortion. This is a distinct sense from the more general meaning of bringing something to an end.

Is "termination" always about employment?

No, termination broadly means the act of ending something or the state of having ended, so it applies to contracts, agreements, and processes as well as jobs and pregnancies. The specific meaning depends heavily on context.

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