term (terms plural & 3rd person present) (terming present participle) (termed past tense & past participle )
1 If you talk about something in terms of something or in particular terms, you are specifying which aspect of it you are discussing or from what point of view you are considering it.
in terms of phrase PHR after v, PHR with cl
Our goods compete in terms of product quality, reliability and above all variety..., Paris has played a dominant role in France, not just in political terms but also in economic power.
2 If you say something in particular terms, you say it using a particular type or level of language or using language which clearly shows your attitude.
in particular terms phrase usu PHR after v, PHR with cl
The video explains in simple terms how the new tax works...
3 n-count A term is a word or expression with a specific meaning, especially one which is used in relation to a particular subject.
usu with supp
Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.
4 verb If you say that something is termed a particular thing, you mean that that is what people call it or that is their opinion of it.
He had been termed a temporary employee... be V-ed n
He termed the war a humanitarian nightmare. V n n
5 n-var A term is one of the periods of time that a school, college, or university divides the year into.
...the summer term., ...the last day of term.
6 n-count A term is a period of time between two elections during which a particular party or government is in power.
with supp
Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain's election.
7 n-count A term is a period of time that someone spends doing a particular job or in a particular place.
with supp
...a 12 month term of service..., Offenders will be liable to a seven-year prison term.
8 n-count A term is the period for which a legal contract or insurance policy is valid.
with supp
Premiums are guaranteed throughout the term of the policy.
9 n-uncount The term of a woman's pregnancy is the nine month period that it lasts. Term is also used to refer to the end of the nine month period.
Women over 40 seem to be just as capable of carrying a baby to term as younger women.
10 n-plural The terms of an agreement, treaty, or other arrangement are the conditions that must be accepted by the people involved in it.
usu with supp
...the terms of the Helsinki agreement...
11 If you come to terms with something difficult or unpleasant, you learn to accept and deal with it.
come to terms with phrase V inflects, PHR n
She had come to terms with the fact that her husband would always be crippled.
12 If two people or groups compete on equal terms or on the same terms, neither of them has an advantage over the other.
on equal terms/on the same terms phrase PHR after v
I had at last found a sport where I could compete on equal terms with able-bodied people...
13 If two people are on good terms or on friendly terms, they are friendly with each other.
on good terms phrase v-link PHR, PHR after v
Madeleine is on good terms with Sarah...
14 You use the expressions in the long term, in the short term, and in the medium term to talk about what will happen over a long period of time, over a short period of time, and over a medium period of time.
in the long/short/medium term phrase PHR with cl
The agreement should have very positive results in the long term...
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long-term
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medium-term
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short-term
15 If you do something on your terms, you do it under conditions that you decide because you are in a position of power.
on your terms phrase PHR after v
They will sign the union treaty only on their terms.
16 If you say that you are thinking in terms of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it.
think in terms of phrase V inflects, PHR -ing/n
United should be thinking in terms of winning the European Cup...
17
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in no uncertain terms
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uncertain
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in real terms
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real
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on speaking terms
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speak
