noun
Uncommon
terminator
TUR-mih-nay-tuh
Terminator (noun) means a person or thing that ends or destroys something. Example: “The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line.”
noun
1
A person or thing that ends or destroys something.
"The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line."
2
The line dividing the day side and night side of a planet or moon.
"Photos from orbit clearly show the terminator crossing the lunar surface."
3
A device fitted at the end of a cable or transmission line to absorb signals and stop reflection.
"The network cable needed a terminator at its final connection point."
How to use terminator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that ends or destroys — used technically for the day/night line on a planet and for cable-end devices, and popularly for the movie character.
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Word forms
- Plural
- terminators
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The virus acted as a _____ of the failing cell line.
Etymology
From terminate + -or; the "killer android" sense is a direct reference to the 1984 film The Terminator.
Class of 1984
terminator joined the language around 1984.
See the full Class of 1984 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for terminator
See all rhymes for terminator →Frequently asked questions
What does “terminator” mean?
The word “terminator” means a person or thing that ends or destroys something. In plain terms, something that ends or destroys — used technically for the day/night line on a planet and for cable-end devices, and popularly for the movie character.
How do you pronounce “terminator”?
“Terminator” is pronounced TUR-mih-nay-tuh (/ˈtɝ.mɪˌneɪ.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “terminator” in a sentence?
Here is “terminator” used in a sentence: “The virus acted as a terminator of the failing cell line.”
What part of speech is “terminator”?
“Terminator” is a noun.
Where does the word “terminator” come from?
The word “terminator” dates back to around 1984. From terminate + -or; the "killer android" sense is a direct reference to the 1984 film The Terminator.
Is “terminator” a common word?
“Terminator” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “terminator” have?
“Terminator” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or thing that ends or destroys something.
