terminate Meaning & Definition
What Does Terminate Mean?
As a verb, terminate means To end, especially in an incomplete state. It can also mean To set or be a limit or boundary to. As an adjective, it means Terminated; limited; bounded; ended.
Word Facts for Terminate
| Part of speech | verb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈtɜːmɪneɪ̯t/ |
| Synonyms | dismiss, fire and cease |
| Antonyms | engage, employ and commence |
| Comparative / superlative | more terminate, most terminate |
| Verb forms | terminates, terminating, terminated |
Terminate Definition (Verb)
- To end, especially in an incomplete state.
to terminate a surface by a line
- To set or be a limit or boundary to.
- To kill.
- To end the employment contract of an employee; to fire, lay off.
- Of a mode of transport, to end its journey; or of a railway line, to reach its terminus.
Terminate as an Adjective
- Terminated; limited; bounded; ended.
- Having a definite and clear limit or boundary; having a determinate size, shape or magnitude.
Mountains on the Moon cast shadows that are very dark, terminate and more distinct than those cast by mountains on the Earth.
- Expressible in a finite number of terms; (of a decimal) not recurring or infinite.
One third is a recurring decimal, but one half is a terminate decimal.
Synonyms of Terminate
Antonyms of Terminate
Terminate in a Sentence
to terminate a surface by a line
Mountains on the Moon cast shadows that are very dark, terminate and more distinct than those cast by mountains on the Earth.
One third is a recurring decimal, but one half is a terminate decimal.
Word Forms & Grammar
terminate (third-person singular simple present terminates, present participle terminating, simple past and past participle terminated)
terminate (comparative more terminate, superlative most terminate)
Words That Rhyme With Terminate
Origin of Terminate
Origin 1: From Middle English terminaten (“to bring to an end; to adjudicate; to end, stop; to border, confine, contain”) from terminat(e) (“bounded”, also used as the past participle of terminaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin terminātus, perfect passive participle of terminō (“to set bounds to, bound, limit, end, close, terminate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from terminus (“a bound, limit, end”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see term, terminus. Doublet of termine, cognate with French terminer.
Origin 2: From Middle English terminat(e) (“bounded”, also used as the past participle of terminaten), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
Quick Answers About Terminate
Is terminate a verb or an adjective?
Terminate is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for terminate?
Close synonyms of terminate are dismiss, fire and cease. See the full list of terminate synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of terminate?
Words opposite in meaning to terminate are engage, employ, commence and start.
What is the past tense of terminate?
The past tense of terminate is terminated. The present participle is terminating.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of terminate?
The comparative form is more terminate and the superlative form is most terminate.