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terminate
/ˈtɜːrmɪneɪt/
bring to an end
The company decided to terminate the contract early due to violations.
The company chose to end the contract before its scheduled completion because of breaches of agreement.
Law
formal
To end something abruptly or formally, often a contract, agreement, or relationship.
The lease agreement allows either party to terminate the contract with 30 days' notice.
The rental contract permits either tenant or landlord to formally end the agreement after providing one month's advance notice.
Often used in legal, business, or technical contexts to imply a definitive and often irreversible end.
Technology
technical
To cause something to stop operating or functioning, such as a machine, system, or process.
The power plant will terminate operations next month for maintenance.
The facility will shut down its systems temporarily next month to undergo repairs.
Common in engineering and IT to describe the cessation of a system or process.
Medicine
technical
To kill or destroy something, especially in a military or biological context.
The infected animals were terminated to prevent the spread of disease.
The sick livestock were euthanized to stop the outbreak from worsening.
Used in veterinary medicine or pest control to describe humane destruction.
literary
To reach the end of a journey or path; to arrive at a destination.
The river terminates at the ocean, creating a vast delta.
The river flows into the sea, forming a large, branching wetland.
Less common in modern usage but found in geographical or literary contexts.
Collocations
terminate a contractend an agreement formallyterminate employmentend someone's job officiallyterminate a processstop a computer program from runningterminate with extreme prejudicekill someone deliberately (idiomatic, slang)
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'terminate'
In everyday speech, prefer 'end,' 'stop,' or 'finish' unless you're discussing contracts, systems, or formal procedures. For example, say 'The meeting ended at 5 PM' instead of 'The meeting terminated at 5 PM.'
Gold Rule
Use 'terminate' for definitive endings
Reserve 'terminate' for situations where the end is final, deliberate, and often irreversible, such as contracts, employment, or systems. It is not suitable for gradual or informal endings.
Word Origin
From Latin *terminatus*, past participle of *terminare* 'to limit, end,' from *terminus* 'boundary, end.' Entered English in the late 16th century via Old French *terminer*, meaning 'to limit or set bounds.'
Usage Notes
While 'terminate' and 'end' are often interchangeable, 'terminate' carries a stronger connotation of finality and formality, especially in legal, technical, or abrupt contexts. Avoid using it casually for everyday endings (e.g., 'terminate a conversation' is overly formal).
Word Breakdown
termin-
boundary or limit
root-ate
to make or perform the action of
suffixEnglish Dictionary