tenure

UK: /ˈtɛnjə^r/, /ˈtɛnjʊə^r/ US: /ˈtɛnjɚ/ ,(ten′yər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ten•ure /ˈtɛnyɚ/   n., v., -ured, -ur•ing. 
n. 

1. the holding of anything, as of property, a political job, etc.:
   [uncountable] the tenure of an office.
2. the length of time for holding something:
   [countable] enjoyed a tenure of only a few months before serious criticism began.
3. a status granted to an employee indicating that the position is permanent:
   [uncountable] The professor was awarded tenure.

v. [~ + object]
4. to give tenure to.
See -ten-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ten•ure  (ten′yər), n. 

1. the holding or possessing of anything:
   the tenure of an office.
2. the holding of property, esp. real property, of a superior in return for services to be rendered.
3. the period or term of holding something.
4. status granted to an employee, usually after a probationary period, indicating that the position or employment is permanent.

v.t. 

5. to give tenure to:
   After she served three years on probation, the committee tenured her.

• Vulgar Latin *tenitura, equivalent. to *tenit(us) held (for Latin tentus, past participle of tenēre) + -ura -ure
• Anglo-French; Old French teneure
• 1250–1300; Middle English

ten•u•ri•al  (ten yŏŏr′ē əl), adj.  ten•u′ri•al•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tenure / ˈtɛnjʊə ˈtɛnjə/ noun

1. the possession or holding of an office or position
2. the length of time an office, position, etc, lasts; term
3. the improved security status of a person after having been in the employ of the same company or institution for a specified period
4. the right to permanent employment until retirement, esp for teachers, lecturers, etc
5. the holding or occupying of property, esp realty, in return for services rendered, etc
6. the duration of such holding or occupation

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French, from Medieval Latin tenitūra, ultimately from Latin tenēre to hold

tenˈurial adjective