# tenured

/ˈtɛnjɝd/ (US) · /tˈɛnjəd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tenured
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

having a permanent job that is very hard to lose. This is common for university professors who have been in their position for a long time.

For teachers: possessing a permanent position that cannot be terminated without cause. Often used in academic contexts to describe faculty members who have successfully completed a probationary period.

## Examples

- She is a tenured professor at the local university.
- After seven years of rigorous teaching and research, he finally earned his tenured position at the medical school.
- The university's board of trustees argued that the proposed budget cuts would only target non-tenured staff, ensuring that the institution's core academic leadership remained stable.

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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.