What does "tenure" mean?

1. (academic job security) a special status at a university that gives a teacher a permanent job so they cannot be fired easily. 2. (period in office) the period of time during which someone holds an important job or position. 3. (land or property holding) the legal right to live in a house or use a piece of land for a certain time. 4. (to give a permanent post) to give a teacher or professor a permanent position at a university.

How do you use "tenure"?

often used with the verb 'grant' or 'receive'. frequently followed by the preposition 'of'. often appears in the phrase 'land tenure'. usually used in the passive voice.

tenure

n. · v.

US //ˈtɛnjɝ// UK //tˈɛnjɐ// ten·ure

1 academic job security (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic

a special status at a university that gives a teacher a permanent job so they cannot be fired easily.

a status of permanent employment granted to a teacher or professor, typically after a probationary period, intended to protect academic freedom.

Example

After years of research and publishing books, she was finally granted tenure at the university.

Example

The university's decision to deny tenure to the controversial researcher sparked a heated debate regarding the protection of academic freedom in modern institutions.

Usage

often used with the verb 'grant' or 'receive'.
- permanence
- security
2 period in office (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the period of time during which someone holds an important job or position.

the term or duration during which an individual holds an official position or office.

Example

During his tenure as manager, the company's profits increased significantly.

Example

Her tenure as the head of the central bank was marked by a series of aggressive interest rate hikes aimed at curbing inflation.

Usage

frequently followed by the preposition 'of'.
- term
- incumbency
- reign

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 land or property holding (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

the legal right to live in a house or use a piece of land for a certain time.

the legal regime or conditions under which land or buildings are held or occupied.

Example

The government is looking at new laws regarding land tenure for small farmers.

Example

The complex system of land tenure in the region dates back to colonial-era statutes that complicate modern property development.

Usage

often appears in the phrase 'land tenure'.
4 to give a permanent post (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic American English

to give a teacher or professor a permanent position at a university.

to grant a permanent academic position to an individual.

Example

He was tenured last year after his second book became a major success.

Example

The department rarely tenures more than two junior faculty members in a single academic cycle due to budget constraints.

Usage

usually used in the passive voice.
- appoint

Origin

From Middle English tenure, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin tenitura, from tenitus, from Latin tentus (from teneō) + -ura.