term 1 of 2

noun

ˈtərm How to pronounce term (audio)
Definition of termnext
1
as in tenure
a fixed period of time during which a person holds a job or position elected for a two-year term as mayor

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2
as in word
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field what's the term for the odd feeling that you've experienced an event before?

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term

2 of 2

verb

as in to name
to give a name to the armed forces began a rescue mission termed Operation In and Out

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of term
Noun
On Friday, Masterson’s campaign rolled out the endorsement of Tyrone Garner, a 30-year veteran of the KCK police department who completed his term as mayor and CEO of the Unified Government in 2025. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 During earlier bouts of market volatility, Roeslani emphasized that recent sharp pullbacks should be viewed as strategic long term buying opportunities. — CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Fruen is seeking re-election, and Vice Mayor Liang Chao is termed out. — Sanestina Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026 Escalona was elected District 3 commissioner in December after Joe Carollo termed out. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for term
Recent Examples of Synonyms for term
  1. tenure
  2. word
  3. name
  4. stint
  5. phrase
  6. call
  7. expression
  8. title
Noun
  • Although Bass has repeatedly denounced Gates’ 14-year tenure on the campaign trail, one of her biggest financial supporters has been keeping his legacy alive.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Prior to working in Hollywood, Atchity served as an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at Occidental College before earning tenure and becoming a full-time professor.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of tenure
Noun
  • The season isn’t over yet, but Bethune has one word to describe her first year in Kansas City so far.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Karl also asked Moore to share a few words that came to mind about other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • Moore was named the Cougars’ new head coach this past offseason, while Miller left his role as wide receivers coach at Boise State to become offensive coordinator in Pullman; both coaches played together at Boise State in the early 2010s.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Construction has already begun on the new district, named the Water Gardens, which will include two hotels and residential and office towers, and is set for completion before the end of 2028.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • Locksley went 38-49 during this stint at Maryland and just 16-47 in Big Ten play.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • McManus, 35, has made 297 of 362 field-goal attempts (82%) during a 12-year career that has included stints with the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stint
Noun
  • But what struck me especially from your book is that de Gaulle was also just a very strange figure who would try to make these, in the Macron phrase, Jupiterian decisions.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • These kinds of phrases are grounding and can help contain some of that anxiety.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of phrase
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Later, however, a faithful replica, also called the Atlantic, was built.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • Current facial recognition systems, originally developed for photographs, can compare faces despite differences in pose, lighting, expression, age, and image quality.
    — Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Elaborate veils and rigid dress codes gradually gave way to more personal expressions of grief, while black dresses and tailoring became enduring wardrobe staples.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • At the Orange County cross-country championships, Trabuco Hills won the boys title and JSerra continued its domination in girls.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The new mod, titled OblivionRemasteredPerformanceFix, may at least get the game running well.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of title

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tergiversation
term
termagant
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Cite this Entry

“Term.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/term. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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