# term of years absolute

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/term-of-years-absolute
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The lease under which that estate in land is held.

## Examples

- The contract defines the term of years absolute for this property.
- The lawyer explained that the lease agreement constitutes a term of years absolute, granting the tenant exclusive possession for a fixed duration.
- By establishing a term of years absolute, the landlord ensured that the tenant held a secure legal interest in the land for the duration of the specified lease period.

## Origin

From term of years + absolute.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
