termination

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: end in time or existence : conclusion

the termination of life

2

: the last part of a word

especially : an inflectional ending

3

: the act of terminating

4

: a limit in space or extent : bound

5

: outcome, result

terminational

ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bound
• boundary
• cap
• ceiling
• confines
• end
• extent
• limit
• limitation
• line

Examples of termination in a Sentence

The law protects against unfair contract termination.

the termination of a lease

an early termination of the contract

The company noted over 300 terminations last quarter.

Are there plans for the termination of unproductive employees?

Recent Examples on the Web

In November, New York City Hall announced the termination of its prepaid debit card program for migrants. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Kennedy Jr, who worked as an environmental attorney for decades before running for president last year and endorsing Trump after dropping out, initially said the terminations of those pregnancies should be up to pregnant women rather than judges or bureaucrats. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

Jones praised Goldman for working through the process and lamented the abruptness of the termination. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

According to Vermes, those stipulations included that there wouldn’t be any sort of buyout or mutual contract termination. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing termination

• pre-termination

Medical Definition

termination

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: an end or ending of something

especially : a distal end of an anatomical part