Noun B1 — Intermediate /tɜːm/

Term — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

A word with a specific meaning, a period of time, or conditions of agreement — one word with many essential uses.

Quick Definition

Term (noun) means (1) a word or phrase with a specific meaning in a particular field; (2) a fixed period of time; or (3) the conditions of a contract or agreement. It also appears in key phrases like in terms of and come to terms with.

What Does Term Mean?

Term comes from Latin terminus (boundary, limit, end). Its original meaning was a time boundary — a fixed end point. This explains why it describes a period with a defined start and end (a school term, an office term) as well as a word with a fixed, bounded meaning (a technical term).

In academic English, term is essential vocabulary. You will see key terms in glossaries, technical terms in textbooks, in terms of in essays and reports, and long-term / short-term in any planning document. These four uses alone make term one of the most high-frequency nouns in formal written English.

Important collocations: in terms of, technical/legal/medical term, come to terms with, long-term/short-term, terms and conditions, on good/bad terms, and term of office.

Word in Use

SentenceUsage note
"Syntax" is a technical term used in grammar and linguistics.term = a word with a specific meaning
The spring term begins on 10 January.term = a fixed period of time
In terms of cost, the second option is more affordable.in terms of = with regard to

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

In terms of the price, is more expensive. (incomplete sentence structure)

In terms of price, the first option is more expensive.

She is on bad terms with to her neighbour. (no 'to' after 'terms with')

She is on bad terms with her neighbour.

Related Words

meaning language level condition period definition

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Wordsearch Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions about “term”

What does term mean in English?
Term has three core meanings: (1) a word or phrase for something specific — 'a technical term', 'a legal term'; (2) a fixed period of time — 'a school term', 'the president's first term'; (3) the conditions of an agreement — 'terms and conditions', 'on good terms'. In phrases: 'in terms of' (regarding), 'come to terms with' (accept).
What does in terms of mean?
'In terms of' is a very common phrase meaning 'with regard to' or 'when considering': 'In terms of cost, the second option is better.' It is used in academic, business, and everyday English to introduce the specific aspect you are talking about. It is equivalent to 'as far as ... is concerned' or 'regarding'.
How do you use term in a sentence?
Term can be used in several ways: 'What is the technical term for this process?' (a label), 'The autumn term starts in September' (a time period), 'Please read the terms and conditions carefully' (legal conditions), and 'They are on good terms' (relationship status). The phrase 'in terms of' is extremely common in formal English.
What is the CEFR level of term?
Term is a B1 (Intermediate) word. Learners at this level encounter it in academic English (technical terms), school/university contexts (school term, autumn term), and formal writing (terms and conditions, in terms of). Mastering the different uses of term is an important step towards B2 fluency.
What are synonyms for term?
As a label/word: word, expression, phrase, name, designation, label. As a period of time: period, semester, quarter, session, stint, tenure. As conditions: conditions, stipulations, provisions, clauses. The right synonym depends heavily on context — 'term' is often more precise than any single synonym.
How do you pronounce term?
Term is pronounced /tɜːm/. It is one syllable with the long 'er' vowel /ɜː/ — the same vowel as in 'bird', 'word', and 'learn'. Many learners confuse this vowel with /eɪ/ or /ɛ/. Practice: say 'her' and then add the final 'm'. The 'r' is not pronounced in British English but is in American English (/tɜːrm/).
What does come to terms with mean?
'Come to terms with' is a phrasal expression meaning to accept or learn to deal with a difficult situation: 'She eventually came to terms with the loss of her job.' It suggests an emotional process of acceptance. A similar expression is 'make peace with' something. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
What is the difference between term and word?
A word is any unit of language. A term is a word or phrase that has a specific, defined meaning in a particular field or context: 'hypertension' is a medical term; 'consideration' is a legal term. Not all words are terms, but all terms are words (or multi-word phrases). Term implies precision and specialised usage.
What does long-term and short-term mean?
Long-term means relating to or covering a long period: 'a long-term plan', 'long-term unemployment'. Short-term means relating to a short period: 'a short-term solution'. These compound adjectives are extremely common in business, economics, and planning. When used before a noun they are hyphenated; after a noun they are not: 'the plan is long term'.
How can I practise the word term on LexFizz?
Use LexFizz's Flash Cards to practise term alongside related academic vocabulary like language, meaning, and level. The Vocabulary Quiz presents term in sentence context to test all its different uses. The Wordsearch reinforces the spelling. Learning 'in terms of' as a phrase is especially useful for academic writing at B1 and above.