terms of service

plural noun

: the legal terms (see term entry 1 sense 4) that set forth the nature, scope, and limits of a service (such as one offered through a website or an app) and the rules that the service's users must agree to follow
… Twitter users' complaints alerted the company that three of his messages violated the terms of serviceJake Tapper
… most people have no idea what is signed away when they click "agree" to binding terms of service contracts—again and again on phones, laptops, tablets, watches, e-readers and televisions.The New York Times
abbreviation TOS

Examples of terms of service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Signal does not track or store any sensitive information and message history is stored on users' own devices, according to its terms of service. Angrej Singh, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 Although many online gambling venues have terms of service that bar underage use, some teens use deceitful methods to sidestep state law. Adam Hudacek, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025 GoFundMe's terms of service state that organizers must not mislead donors. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 The judge said in the ruling that any violation of the terms of service of the genetic databases or of internal FBI policy does not have bearing on Kohberger's constitutional rights. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terms of service

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terms of service was in 1994

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terms of service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terms%20of%20service. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!