Definition of "terminate" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To end something, especially when left in an incomplete state.

   • to terminate a process before its completion
   • to terminate an effort, or a controversy

2. (transitive) To conclude.

3. (transitive) To set or be a limit or boundary to.

   • to terminate a surface by a line

4. (transitive) To form an appropriate end on (a wire, cable, hose, pipe, etc), such as by applying a cable terminal or a hose ferrule.

   • We'll rough them all in before we start terminating any of them.

5. (transitive) To end the employment contract of an employee; to fire, lay off.

6. (transitive, euphemistic) To kill someone or something.

   • The enemy must be terminated by any means possible.

7. (intransitive) To end, conclude, or cease; to come to an end.

8. (intransitive) Of a mode of transport, to end its journey; or, of a railway line, to reach its terminus.

   • This train terminates at the next station.

9. (intransitive) To issue or result.

adjective

1. Terminated; limited; bounded; ended.

2. Having a definite and clear limit or boundary; having a determinate size, shape or magnitude.

   • Mountains on the Moon cast shadows that are very dark, terminate and more distinct than those cast by mountains on the Earth.

3. (mathematics) Expressible in a finite number of terms; (of a decimal) not recurring or infinite.

   • One third is a recurring decimal, but one half is a terminate decimal.