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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.

Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will undergo surgery on his injured hamstring on Friday, his club Girona confirmed on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

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

“What musta happened was, Dumbledore musta told Snape ter go with them Death Eaters,” Hagrid said confidently.

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.