terminate

[ tur-muh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

1. to bring to an end; put an end to:

   to terminate a contract.

   Synonyms: complete, close, conclude, finish, end

2. to occur at or form the conclusion of:

   The countess's soliloquy terminates the play.

   Synonyms: complete, close, conclude, finish, end

3. to bound or limit spatially; form or be situated at the extremity of.
4. to dismiss from a job; fire:

   to terminate employees during a recession.

verb (used without object)

, ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing.

1. to end, conclude, or cease.
2. (of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to end a scheduled run at a certain place:

   This train terminates in New York.

3. to come to an end (often followed by at, in, or with ).
4. to issue or result (usually followed by in ).

terminate

/ ˈtɜːmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by in or with to form, be, or put an end (to); conclude

   their relationship terminated amicably

   to terminate a pregnancy

2. tr to connect (suitable circuitry) to the end of an electrical transmission line to absorb the energy and avoid reflections
3. intr maths (of a decimal expansion) to have only a finite number of digits
4. slang.
   tr to kill (someone)

Derived Forms

• ˈterminative, adjective
• ˈterminatory, adjective

Other Words From

• termi·native adjective
• termi·native·ly adverb
• non·termi·native adjective
• non·termi·native·ly adverb
• self-termi·nating adjective
• self-termi·native adjective
• un·termi·nated adjective
• un·termi·nating adjective
• un·termi·native adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terminate¹

1580–90; verbal use of late Middle English terminate (adjective) “limited,” from Latin terminātus, past participle of termināre. See term, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of terminate¹

C16: from Latin terminātus limited, from termināre to set boundaries, from terminus end

Example Sentences

Last month, he said it would be “an honor” to “immediately terminate” a law he called the “Green New Scam.”

From Salon

Republican and conservative hostility to abortion rights has persisted despite the ghastly deaths of pregnant women because doctors were unwilling to terminate their pregnancies because the treatment would break the law in their states, even in an emergency, and expose the doctors to consequences including criminal prosecution.

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly two-thirds of women currently use medication to terminate their pregnancies, and it has proved incredibly safe and effective.

From Slate

The second drug used in medication abortion, misoprostol, can also terminate a pregnancy when used alone.

From Slate

One of Trump’s top lawyers, Jonathan Mitchell, has openly argued that the Comstock Act bans all abortions, because its broad language applies even to equipment used to terminate pregnancies in a clinic.

From Slate

Related Words

• abolish
• abort
• adjourn
• annul
• cancel
• cease
• complete
• conclude
• cut off
• determine
• discharge
• discontinue
• dismiss
• dissolve
• eliminate
• expire
• halt
• put an end to
• recess
• restrict