terminator

noun

ter·​mi·​na·​tor ˈtər-mə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce terminator (audio)
1
: the dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of the moon's or a planet's disk
2
: one that terminates

Examples of terminator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The area at the left of the craters and terminator is the Borealis Planitia, Mercury’s largest expanse of smooth volcanic plains, which was formed by large volcanic eruptions 3.7 billion years ago. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025 Caroline and Gabe were completely respectable for Tuku, however — solving their fire puzzle in what probably would have been a winning time if not playing against total puzzle terminators. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024 This tenderness, allies say, is lost in the caricature of Freedman — often bolstered by the attorney himself — as a cold-blooded legal terminator. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2024 This planet, a scorching gas giant that experiences molten iron rain, has also been observed to have more light on its eastern terminator (a line used to separate the day side from the night side) than its western terminator. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 4 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for terminator 

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of terminator was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near terminator

Cite this Entry

“Terminator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terminator. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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