Definition of "term" in Englisch

noun

1. That which limits the extent of anything; limit, extremity, bound, boundary, terminus.

   • "Alright, look...we can spend the holidays with your parents, but this time it will be on my terms."

2. A chronological limitation or restriction, a limited timespan.

   • The term of a lease agreement is the period of time during which the lease is effective, and may be fixed, periodic, or of indefinite duration.

3. Any of the binding conditions or promises in a legal contract.

   • Be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing.

4. Specifically, the conditions in a legal contract that specify the price and also how and when payment must be made.

   • Q: What are your company's terms? A: Net thirty, cash or check. [This answer means that the net total must be paid within 30 days; see Net D.]
   • The latest models are available now, on the lowest terms you'll find anywhere, guaranteed.
   • The Cabin is large and commodious, well calculated for the Accommodation of Paſengers. Merchandiſe, Produce, &c. carried on the loweſt Terms.

5. (geometry, archaic) A point, line, or superficies that limits.

   • A line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.

6. A word or phrase (e.g., noun phrase, verb phrase, open compound), especially one from a specialised area of knowledge; a name for a concept.

   • "Algorithm" is a term used in computer science.
   • The noun phrase "red blood cell", the acronym "RBC", and the word "erythrocyte" are synonymous terms.

7. Relations among people.

   • We are on friendly terms with each other.

8. Part of a year, especially one of the divisions of an academic year.

9. Duration of officeholding, or its limit; period in office of fixed length.

   • He was sentenced to a term of six years in prison.
   • near-term, mid-term and long-term goals
   • the term allowed to a debtor to discharge his debt

10. With respect to a pregnancy, the usual duration of gestation for the given species (for example, nine months in humans); (metonymic) the end of this duration: the timepoint at which birth usually happens (for example, in humans, approximately 40 weeks from conception), defining the due date.

    • A pregnancy didn't come to term.
    • at term
    • preterm
    • postterm

11. (of a patent) The maximum period during which the patent can be maintained into force.