Words / B1

TURMT-ym/ˈtɜːm taɪm/

Term time (id: term-time) is the weeks when school or college is open for teaching (UK). Holidays and half-term are the breaks; INSET is staff training. Absence: term-time holidays still need the head’s permission; a cheap flight is not a reason.

Meaning

The weeks when school or college is open for teaching (UK).

Examples

• “Term-time holidays still need the head’s permission; a cheap flight is not a reason.”
• “Term-time only contracts for support staff still need the same DBS as year-round posts.”

Good to know

in term time; term-time + holiday / contract (hyphen as modifier). Contrast: the holidays / half-term. School / college. Often uncountable as a period. Mix-up: a term is one block of the year.

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