midterm

[ mid-turm ]

noun

1. the middle or halfway point of a term, as a school term or term of office.
2. Often midterms. Informal. an examination or series of examinations at the middle of a school term.

adjective

1. pertaining to or occurring on or about the middle of a term, as a school term or term of office:

   a midterm recess; midterm elections.

midterm

/ ˈmɪdˈtɜːm /

noun

1. 1. the middle of a term in a school, university, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      midterm exam

2. politics
   1. the middle of a term of office, esp of a presidential term, when congressional and local elections are held
   2. ( as modifier )

      midterm elections

3. 1. the middle of the gestation period
   2. ( as modifier ) See term

      midterm checkup

Word History and Origins

Origin of midterm¹

First recorded in 1865–70; mid- + term

Example Sentences

She overemphasized abortion rights, a winning issue for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections that had played out by last week.

From Los Angeles Times

The strategy, it seemed, was to harness the same enthusiasm for abortion access that drove Democrats’ unexpected success in the 2022 midterms.

From BBC

The Dobbs decision is also widely credited with helping to stave off a “red wave” of victories in the 2022 midterm elections for Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

But it starts with Biden’s decision to stay in the race after his party performed surprisingly well in the 2022 midterms.

From Los Angeles Times

“One other way of looking at it is that 2018 was Trump’s first midterm election, and it ended up being a very good year for the Democrats,” Schnur added.

From Los Angeles Times