terms

UK: /tɜːmz/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

terms / tɜːmz/ noun:plural

1. (usually specified prenominally) the actual language or mode of presentation used: he described the project in loose terms
2. conditions of an agreement
3. a sum of money paid for a service or credit; charges
4. (usually preceded by on) mutual relationship or standing: they are on affectionate terms
5. in terms of ⇒ as expressed by; regarding: in terms of money she was no better off
6. come to terms ⇒ to reach acceptance or agreement

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

term /tɜrm/   n. 

1. Linguistics a word or group of words designating something, esp. in a particular field:
   [countable] Define the term
   atom
   as it is used in physics.
2. the time or period through which something lasts:
   [countable] a one-year term of office.
3. a division of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided:
   [countable] It's the start of a new term.
4. a set time or date, as at the end of a period of time, for the payment of rent, interest, etc.:
   [uncountable] At term you'll be paid a high rate of interest.
5. the completion of pregnancy:
   [uncountable] She's now at term; when will labor start?
6. terms, [plural]
   • conditions with regard to payment, etc.:
     The car dealer promised reasonable terms.
   • conditions limiting what is proposed to be done:
     The terms of the treaty were clear.
   • relations;
     standing:
     She's on good terms with everyone.
7. Mathematics [countable] each of the numbers in a mathematical expression, formula, etc.

v. 

8. to give a particular name to;
   call: [~ + object + object]
   termed the settlement a breakthrough.
   [~ + object + adjective]
   termed the agreement "preposterous.''

Idioms

9. Idioms bring (someone) to terms, to force to agree to certain conditions.
10. Idioms come to terms, to reach an agreement.
11. Idioms in terms of, with regard to;
    concerning:
    In terms of salary, the job is terrible.
12. in the (short or) long term, in a (short or) long while from the present:
    In the short term—say, a few months—interest rates will go up.

See -term-.

-term-, root. 

1. -term- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "end;
   boundary;
   limit.'' This meaning is found in such words as: determine, exterminate, indeterminate, interminable, predetermine, term, terminal, terminate, terminology, terminus.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

term  (tûrm), n. 

1. a word or group of words designating something, esp. in a particular field, as atom in physics, quietism in theology, adze in carpentry, or district leader in politics.
2. any word or group of words considered as a member of a construction or utterance.
3. the time or period through which something lasts.
4. a period of time to which limits have been set:
   elected for a term of four years.
5. one of two or more divisions of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided.
6. an appointed or set time or date, as for the payment of rent, interest, wages, etc.
7. terms:
   • conditions with regard to payment, price, charge, rates, wages, etc.:
     reasonable terms.
   • conditions or stipulations limiting what is proposed to be granted or done:
     the terms of a treaty.
   • footing or standing;
     relations:
     on good terms with someone.
   • [Obs.] state, situation, or circumstances.
8. Mathematics [Algebra, Arith.]
   • each of the members of which an expression, a series of quantities, or the like, is composed, as one of two or more parts of an algebraic expression.
   • Mathematics a mathematical expression of the form ax^p, ax^py^q, etc., where a, p, and q are numbers and x and y are variables.
9. Philosophy [Logic.]
   • the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
   • Philosophy the word or expression denoting the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
10. Antiquity Also called terminus. a figure, esp. of Terminus, in the form of a herm, used by the ancient Romans as a boundary marker;
    terminal figure.
11. Law
    • an estate or interest in land or the like, to be enjoyed for a fixed period.
    • the duration of an estate.
    • each of the periods during which certain courts of law hold their sessions.
12. completion of pregnancy;
    parturition.
13. [Archaic.]
    • end, conclusion, or termination.
    • boundary or limit.
14. bring to terms, to force to agree to stated demands or conditions;
    bring into submission:
    After a long struggle, we brought them to terms.
15. come to terms:
    • to reach an agreement;
      make an arrangement:
      to come to terms with a creditor.
    • to become resigned or accustomed:
      to come to terms with one's life.
16. British Terms eat one's terms, to study for the bar;
    be a law student.
17. in terms of, with regard to;
    concerning:
    The book offers nothing in terms of a satisfactory conclusion.

v.t. 

18. to apply a particular term or name to;
    name;
    call;
    designate.

• Latin terminus boundary, limit, end; akin to Greek térmōn limit
• Old French
• Middle English terme 1175–1225

term′ly, adv. 

term., 

1. Transport terminal.
2. termination.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

term / tɜːm/ noun

1. a name, expression, or word used for some particular thing, esp in a specialized field of knowledge: a medical term
2. any word or expression
3. a limited period of time: her second term of office, a prison term
4. any of the divisions of the academic year during which a school, college, etc, is in session
5. a point in time determined for an event or for the end of a period
6. Also called: full term the period at which childbirth is imminent
7. an estate or interest in land limited to run for a specified period
8. the duration of an estate, etc
9. (formerly) a period of time during which sessions of courts of law were held
10. time allowed to a debtor to settle
11. either of the expressions the ratio of which is a fraction or proportion, any of the separate elements of a sequence, or any of the individual addends of a polynomial or series
12. the word or phrase that forms either the subject or predicate of a proposition
13. a name or variable, as opposed to a predicate
14. any of the three subjects or predicates occurring in a syllogism
15. Also called: terminal, terminus, terminal figure a sculptured post, esp one in the form of an armless bust or an animal on the top of a square pillar
16. the usual word for quarter10

verb

1. (transitive) to designate; call: he was termed a thief

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French terme, from Latin terminus end

ˈtermly adverb