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ter

1 American  
[tur] / tɜr /

adverb

  1. (in prescriptions) three times.

ter- 2 American  

  1. a combining form meaning “thrice,” used in the formation of compound words.

    tercentennial.
ter. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. (in prescriptions) rub.

ter. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. terrace.

  2. territorial.

  3. territory.

ter- British  

combining form

  1. three, third, or three times

    tercentenary
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ter1

From Latin

Origin of ter-2

< Latin, combining form of ter; akin to trēs three

Origin of ter.3

From the Latin word tere

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.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed Tuesday reports that veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will join neighbours Girona on loan.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

“It gives the victim the sense of being heard,” says ter Heide, who is directing the project in her capacity as senior researcher at the Netherlands’ ARQ National Psychotrauma Center.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

“I’m actually aligned with Kennedy that something really needs to happen on food in America,” Peter ter Kulve said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Olmo joins Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines, ahead of a key Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt next week.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

Comin’ ter see old Aragog off, though, eh?

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

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.