tenure

[ ten-yer ]

noun

1. the holding or possessing of anything:

   the tenure of an office.

2. the holding of property, especially real property, of a superior in return for services to be rendered.
3. the period or term of holding something.
4. status granted to an employee, usually after a probationary period, indicating that the position or employment is permanent.

verb (used with object)

1. to give tenure to:

   After she served three years on probation, the committee tenured her.

tenure

/ ˈtɛnjə; ˈtɛnjʊə /

noun

1. the possession or holding of an office or position
2. the length of time an office, position, etc, lasts; term
3. the improved security status of a person after having been in the employ of the same company or institution for a specified period
4. the right to permanent employment until retirement, esp for teachers, lecturers, etc
5. property law
   1. the holding or occupying of property, esp realty, in return for services rendered, etc
   2. the duration of such holding or occupation

Derived Forms

• tenˈurial, adjective
• tenˈurially, adverb

Other Words From

• ten·u·ri·al [ten-, yoor, -ee-, uh, l], adjective
• ten·uri·al·ly adverb
• nonten·uri·al adjective
• nonten·uri·al·ly adverb
• under·tenure noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenure¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French; Old French teneure, from Vulgar Latin tenitura (unrecorded), equivalent to tenit(us) (unrecorded) “held” (for Latin tentus, past participle of tenēre “to hold”) + -ura -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenure¹

C15: from Old French, from Medieval Latin tenitūra, ultimately from Latin tenēre to hold

Example Sentences

There was also a bit of fitness news - and a definite subtle message to try to suggest issues from Erik ten Hag's tenure are now being addressed.

From BBC

But a tough opening to his tenure, which included two heavy defeats by Belgium and four-goal loss in Russia, quelled optimism.

From BBC

During his tenure Shklyarov had impressed with contemporary and classical ballets alike, ranging from “The Nutcracker” and “Don Quixote” to George Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” and “Jewels.”

From Los Angeles Times

Just months into Dr. Sasse’s tenure, though, the school fell to No. 6, prompting the removal of the No. 5 banners that had hung from lampposts throughout campus.

From New York Times

Benjamin pointed to Kennedy's previous comments questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and what might happen if there were another pandemic during his tenure.

From BBC

Related Words

• administration
• occupation
• ownership
• regime
• reign
• term