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

The threat of losing it “is so severe that hospitals will probably comply before they run the risk of being terminated from the programs.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some workers have said in lawsuits and civil rights complaints that they were terminated or stopped receiving assignments after suffering an injury or reporting other health concerns.

From New York Times

All 80 of the terminated employees were part of that group.

From Los Angeles Times

About a year later in June of 2022, his employment with Sinn Féin was terminated.

From BBC

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

From Salon

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