terminology

noun

ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē 

plural terminologies

1

: the technical or special terms used in a business, art, science, or special subject

2

: nomenclature as a field of study

terminological

ˌtər-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

terminologically

ˌtər-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• argot
• cant
• dialect
• jargon
• jive
• language
• lingo
• patois
• patter
• shop
• shoptalk
• slang
• vocabulary

Examples of terminology in a Sentence

a lexicon covering the terminologies of several scientific fields

the terminology favored by sportscasters

Recent Examples on the Web

But for those who don’t really follow science, or what celebrities are doing to keep most fit, all the acronyms and medical terminology can be daunting. —Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Lawyer said the Derby makes betting as accessible as possible, from a betting app, to signs instructing you on how to place a bet using the proper terminology, to the demeanor of the Churchill Downs employees. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 2 May 2025

For first-timers, cruise ship terminology can seem like its own language. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 1 May 2025

Other immigration forms have been updated with similar terminology. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin terminus term, expression (from Latin, limit) + English -o- + -logy

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terminology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

terminology

noun

ter·​mi·​nol·​o·​gy ˌtər-mə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 

plural terminologies

: the special terms or expressions used in a field

the terminology of law