# term

/ˈtɝm/ (US) · /tˈɜːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/term
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a word or phrase

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The doctor used a medical term that I didn't understand at first.
- The legal team spent hours debating the precise definition of the term 'negligence' as it appeared in the draft agreement.

### 2. academic period

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- We have a lot of exams at the end of the autumn term.
- The university introduced several new elective modules for the spring term to accommodate the growing interest in digital humanities.

### 3. period of time

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The president is serving her second four-year term in office.
- The contract specifies a five-year term, after which both parties must meet to negotiate a potential renewal.

### 4. conditions of an agreement

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- You should read the terms and conditions before you sign the document.
- The terms of the settlement were kept confidential to protect the reputations of the individuals involved in the dispute.

### 5. relations between people

noun · CEFR B2

the kind of relationship you have with someone.

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

- Even after the argument, they stayed on friendly terms with each other.
- Despite their professional rivalry, the two scientists remained on excellent speaking terms throughout the duration of the project.

### 6. mathematical value

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a single number or variable in a mathematical expression.

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

- In the equation x + 5, 'x' is the first term.
- The student struggled to simplify the algebraic expression because they failed to group the like terms correctly.

### 7. end of pregnancy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the end of the normal period of a pregnancy.

For teachers: the completion of the normal period of gestation.

- The baby was born at full term and was very healthy.
- The obstetrician noted that the pregnancy had reached full term, suggesting that labour would likely begin within the week.

### 8. to name

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: to apply a particular name or epithet to something; to characterise.

- The media termed the new law a victory for the environment.
- Critics have termed the director's latest cinematic effort a masterpiece of modern surrealism, though audiences remain divided.

## Examples

- The doctor used a medical term I didn't understand.
- Students must complete their final projects before the end of the autumn term to receive credit.
- While the legal term is technically accurate, the judge requested that the witness explain the situation in plain language for the benefit of the jury.

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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.