1
: occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time
2
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and especially one of less than a year
b
: generated by assets held for less than six months

Examples of short-term in a Sentence

this is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There have been short-term problems for airlines, too. Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 Financial disclosure reports that Trump filed as president listed more than a dozen other bank loans but made no mention of the short-term one from Ladder Capital. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 One reason that happens is that exercise decreases blood flow to your gut, causing short-term damage to your intestines. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024 The top vote-getter will lead the town on key issues ranging from regulating unruly short-term rentals to preserving quality of life over the next four years. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for short-term 

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of short-term was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near short-term

Cite this Entry

“Short-term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short-term. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

short-term

adjective
-ˈtərm
: short-range
short-term goals

Legal Definition

short term

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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