term

The word "term" is a noun that can be used in a few different ways.

Use "term" to refer to a period of time:

• An American president can serve only two terms in office. Each term lasts four years. d
• The company looks forward to a term of profitability after several years of losses.
• Henry receive bad grades in school last term.
• The winter term begins in January.
• Sandra brought her baby to term. (She kept the baby inside her womb for a full nine months.)

Use "term" to describe a condition or an agreement:

• Are you on good terms with your neighbors? (Do you get along with your neighbors?)
• Joe and Fred are no longer on speaking terms. (They don’t get along and they don’t talk to each other.)
• The terms of the agreement were agreed upon by everyone who signed it.
• What are the terms of use for this website?
• Two groups came to terms and settled their differences.
• Under no uncertain terms will this situation continue. ("Under no uncertain terms" is a popular expression.)

Use "term" when talking about words:

• What does the term "person of interest" mean?
• There were several terms in the reading exercises that the teacher needed to explain to the students.
• I’m unfamiliar with the term "twenty-four seven." What does it mean?
• The word "honey" is a term of endearment used by a person who loves another person.

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Date of publication: October 25, 2016