terminable
Americanadjective
-
able to be terminated
-
terminating after a specific period or event
a terminable annuity
Other Word Forms
- nonterminability noun
- nonterminable adjective
- nonterminableness noun
- nonterminably adverb
- terminability noun
- terminableness noun
- terminably adverb
Etymology
Origin of terminable
1375–1425; late Middle English, equivalent to termin ( en ) to end (< Latin termināre ) + -able
Explanation
When something is terminable, it comes to an end rather than going on forever. In law, terminable describes an agreement that can be ended. If you want to pursue a solo singing career, you'd better hope your contract with your band's manager is terminable. If an apartment lease is terminable, that means you're allowed to break it or get out of it under certain circumstances. And if the song your little brother sings is terminable, it eventually comes to an end—this sense of the word is less common than its antonym, interminable, "appearing to be infinite." Both words come from the Latin root terminus, "end or limit."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Los Angeles Stentorians, who represents African American firefighters in the city, called the incident a "terminable" offense.
From Fox News • Nov. 25, 2021
AAA, terminable only at the pleasure of the President, could go on without Congressional assistance.
From Time Magazine Archive
Also it was "terminable without notice in the event of endangering the stability of the mark."
From Time Magazine Archive
The three-man board rep resenting the Atomic Energy Commission sits in courtroom-style judgment as the testimony unfolds like an in terminable dream.
From Time Magazine Archive
VII To weaken the marriage-bond by setting it for a term of years only, or by making it terminable by consent, would virtually destroy marriage and family-life.
From Feminism and Sex-Extinction by Kenealy, Arabella
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
