term
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/tɜːm/
/tɜːrm/
see also termsIdioms - [countable] a word or phrase used as the name of something, especially one connected with a particular type of language
- a technical/legal/generic term
- a glossary of terms
- a term of abuse
- What is the meaning of the term ‘globalization’?
- William Gibson coined the term (= invented the term) ‘cyberspace’ in 1984.
- term for something ‘Old man’ is a slang term for ‘father’.
- The term ‘Generation X’ refers to the people born in the 1950s and 1960s.
- ‘Register’ is the term commonly used to describe different levels of formality in language.
- I would describe myself, for want of a better term, as a nerd.
Synonyms wordword- term
- phrase
- expression
- idiom
- word a single unit of language that means something and can be spoken or written:
- Do not write more than 200 words.
- He uses a lot of long words.
- term (rather formal) a word or phrase used as the name of something, especially one connected with a particular type of language:
- technical/legal/scientific terms
- ‘Old man’ is a slang term for ‘father’.
- phrase a group of words that have a particular meaning when used together:
- Who coined the phrase ‘fake news’?
- expression a word or phrase:
- He tends to use a lot of slang expressions that I’ve never heard before.
- idiom a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words:
- ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake.
- a word/term for something
- a new word/term/phrase/expression
- a technical/colloquial word/term/phrase/expression
- a slang word/term/phrase
- an idiomatic phrase/expression
- to use a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom
- to coin a(n) word/term/phrase/expression
- a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom means something
Language Bank definedefineDefining terms- It is important to clarify what is meant by climate change.
- Climate change can/may be defined as ‘the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind and other aspects of the earth’s climate’.
- A generally accepted definition of global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect.
- The greenhouse effect is defined by the author as the process by which heat from the sun is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, causing the temperature of the earth to rise.
- The author uses the term climate change to refer to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period.
- The term ‘carbon footprint’ refers to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual or organization.
- Scientists suggest that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will result in an increase in global temperatures, and the term ‘global warming’ is used to describe this phenomenon.
Extra Examples- I prefer the term ‘network’ to ‘community’.
- I think we can apply the term ‘genius’ to the painter.
- The term ‘acid rain’ was coined in the 19th century.
- Try entering the search term ‘classical music’.
- He hadn't realized that ‘chuck’ was a term of endearment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- specific
- blanket
- broad
- …
- use
- be couched in
- define
- …
- connote something
- denote something
- describe something
- …
- term for
- term of
- in glowing terms
- in no uncertain terms
- in simple terms
- …
- (North American English also trimester)[countable, uncountable] (especially in the UK) one of the three periods in the year during which classes are held in schools, universities, etc.
- the spring/summer/autumn/fall term
- during term Many students now have paid employment during term.
- (British English) It's nearly the end of term.
- (North American English) It's nearly the end of the term.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- college
- school
- university
- …
- paper
- during (the) term
- in the term
- the beginning of (the) term
- the end of (the) term
- [countable] a period of time for which something lasts; a fixed or limited time
- during the president’s first term of/in office
- term as something a term as president/mayor/governor/prime minister
- term of something He was sentenced to a prison/jail term of 25 years for the offence.
- She served a five-year term of imprisonment.
- The contract was for a fixed term of five years.
- to extend the term of a loan
- His presidential term expires at the end of May.
Extra ExamplesTopics Timeb2, Crime and punishmentb2- The term of agreement can be for either two or three years.
- Her current term runs until January 2024.
- She is now seeking her second term in the Senate.
- The lease is granted for a set term of years.
- The president wants to make tax reform a top priority during his second term.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- long
- short
- full
- …
- serve
- seek
- win
- …
- run
- expire
- run out
- …
- at term
- in the long term
- in the medium term
- in the near term
- …
- [singular] (formal) the end of a particular period of time, especially one for which something is expected to last
- His life had reached its natural term.
- This view of the economy is approaching its term (= it will soon be old-fashioned).
- (medical) The pregnancy went to full term (= lasted the normal length of time).
- Her baby was born at term.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- long
- short
- full
- …
- serve
- seek
- win
- …
- run
- expire
- run out
- …
- at term
- in the long term
- in the medium term
- in the near term
- …
- [countable] (mathematics) each of the various parts in a series, an equation, etc.
Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a limit in space or time, or (in the plural) limiting conditions): from Old French terme, from Latin terminus ‘end, boundary, limit’.
Idioms
in the long/short/medium term
- used to describe what will happen a long, short, etc. time in the future
- Such a development seems unlikely, at least in the short term (= it will not happen for quite a long time).
- In the longer term, children of depressed mothers are more likely to suffer from childhood depression.
- In the long term, our efforts will pay off.