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."
"Either party may request the termination of the contract with thirty days' notice."
"The sudden termination of the broadcast left viewers confused."
2
The ending of someone's employment.
"His termination came as a shock to the whole department."
"She received a letter confirming her termination, along with a final payment."
"He took legal advice after his unfair termination from the firm."
3
The deliberate ending of a pregnancy.
"She discussed the decision to have a termination with her doctor."
"The clinic offers counselling to anyone considering a termination."
"Doctors explained the options to her before she chose a termination."
How to use termination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ending of something — a contract, a job, or a pregnancy.
Common pairings
termination of employment
early termination
termination clause
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Word forms
- Plural
- terminations
Fill the gap
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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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for termination
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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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