term

[[t]tɜ͟ː(r)m[/t]]

♦

terms, terming, termed

1) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl If you talk about something in terms of something or in particular terms, you are specifying which aspect of it you are discussing or from what point of view you are considering it.

Our goods compete in terms of product quality, reliability and above all variety...

Paris has played a dominant role in France, not just in political terms but also in economic power.

2) PHRASE: usu PHR after v, PHR with cl If you say something in particular terms, you say it using a particular type or level of language or using language which clearly shows your attitude.

The video explains in simple terms how the new tax works...

The document is expressed in terms that are readily understood and agreed.

3) N-COUNT: usu with supp A term is a word or expression with a specific meaning, especially one which is used in relation to a particular subject.

Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.

4) VERB If you say that something is termed a particular thing, you mean that that is what people call it or that is their opinion of it.

[be V-ed n] He had been termed a temporary employee...

[V n n] He termed the war a humanitarian nightmare. [Also V n as n]

5) N-VAR A term is one of the periods of time that a school, college, or university divides the year into.

...the summer term.

...the last day of term.

6) N-COUNT: with supp A term is a period of time between two elections during which a particular party or government is in power.

Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain's election.

7) N-COUNT: with supp A term is a period of time that someone spends doing a particular job or in a particular place.

...a 12 month term of service...

Offenders will be liable to a seven-year prison term.

8) N-COUNT: with supp A term is the period for which a legal contract or insurance policy is valid.

Premiums are guaranteed throughout the term of the policy.

9) N-UNCOUNT The term of a woman's pregnancy is the nine month period that it lasts. Term is also used to refer to the end of the nine month period.

That makes her the first TV presenter to work the full term of her pregnancy...

Women over 40 seem to be just as capable of carrying a baby to term as younger women.

10) N-PLURAL: usu with supp The terms of an agreement, treaty, or other arrangement are the conditions that must be accepted by the people involved in it.

...the terms of the Helsinki agreement...

Mayor Rendell imposed the new contract terms.

11) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you come to terms with something difficult or unpleasant, you learn to accept and deal with it.

She had come to terms with the fact that her husband would always be crippled.

12) PHRASE: PHR after v If two people or groups compete on equal terms or on the same terms, neither of them has an advantage over the other.

I had at last found a sport where I could compete on equal terms with able-bodied people...

The focus was on women gaining access to work on the same terms as men.

13) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If two people are on good terms or on friendly terms, they are friendly with each other.

Madeleine is on good terms with Sarah...

We shook hands and parted on good terms.

14) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use the expressions in the long term, in the short term, and in the medium term to talk about what will happen over a long period of time, over a short period of time, and over a medium period of time.

→ See also , medium-term, short-term

The agreement should have very positive results in the long term...

In the short term, chemical sprays are clearly an effective way to control pests...

In the medium term the UK car industry has a brighter outlook.

15) PHRASE: PHR after v If you do something on your terms, you do it under conditions that you decide because you are in a position of power.

They will sign the union treaty only on their terms.

16) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR -ing/n If you say that you are thinking in terms of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it.

United should be thinking in terms of winning the European Cup...

She was thinking in terms of a career.

17) a contradiction in terms → see contradiction

in no uncertain terms → see uncertain

in real terms → see real

on speaking terms → see speak