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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

“We have example sentences that can help the deepfake therapist stress that,” says ter Heide.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

The company developed ice-cream bites called Magnum Bonbon, which proved wildly popular in Europe and it is planning to bring to the U.S., ter Kulve said.

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

“I don’ ever want ter go back ter Azkaban.”

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" 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.