ENGLISH
REFERENCE

term

n. · v.
US //ˈtɝm// UK //tˈɜːm// term
  1. 1 a word or phrase (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a word or phrase used to describe a specific thing, especially in a technical or professional area.

    a word or phrase used to describe a concept or object, particularly within a specialised field of knowledge.

    Example

    The doctor used a medical term that I didn't understand at first.

    Example

    The legal team spent hours debating the precise definition of the term 'negligence' as it appeared in the draft agreement.
  2. 2 academic period (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    one of the periods of time that the school or university year is divided into.

    one of the divisions of an academic year during which instruction is given.

    Example

    We have a lot of exams at the end of the autumn term.

    Example

    The university introduced several new elective modules for the spring term to accommodate the growing interest in digital humanities.
Show 6 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 period of time (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a fixed period of time that something lasts, like a person's time in a political office.

    a fixed or limited period for which something lasts or is intended to last.

    Example

    The president is serving her second four-year term in office.

    Example

    The contract specifies a five-year term, after which both parties must meet to negotiate a potential renewal.
  2. 4 conditions of an agreement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the rules or conditions of an agreement or a legal contract.

    the conditions or stipulations that form part of an agreement, contract, or treaty.

    Example

    You should read the terms and conditions before you sign the document.

    Example

    The terms of the settlement were kept confidential to protect the reputations of the individuals involved in the dispute.
  3. 5 relations between people (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the kind of relationship you have with someone.

    the nature of the relationship existing between people; almost always used in the plural with 'on'.

    Example

    Even after the argument, they stayed on friendly terms with each other.

    Example

    Despite their professional rivalry, the two scientists remained on excellent speaking terms throughout the duration of the project.
  4. 6 mathematical value (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Math

    a single number or variable in a mathematical expression.

    each of the quantities in a mathematical series, ratio, or expression.

    Example

    In the equation x + 5, 'x' is the first term.

    Example

    The student struggled to simplify the algebraic expression because they failed to group the like terms correctly.
  5. 7 end of pregnancy (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    the end of the normal period of a pregnancy.

    the completion of the normal period of gestation.

    Example

    The baby was born at full term and was very healthy.

    Example

    The obstetrician noted that the pregnancy had reached full term, suggesting that labour would likely begin within the week.
    • full term
  6. 8 to name (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to give something a specific name or to describe it in a certain way.

    to apply a particular name or epithet to something; to characterise.

    Example

    The media termed the new law a victory for the environment.

    Example

    Critics have termed the director's latest cinematic effort a masterpiece of modern surrealism, though audiences remain divided.
Word family
Idioms5 entries

© 2026 English Reference