Words / B2

TURM-in-ayt/ˈtɜːmɪneɪt/

To terminate is to bring something to an official end: terminate a contract; terminate a process (formal). End is everyday; cancel often means call off before it starts. Dismissal is a related HR noun. Do not use terminate for finishing a sandwich. UK HR: terminate employment — blunt and legal.

Meaning

To bring something to an official end, such as a contract or a process (formal).

Examples

• “The trust terminated the contract after repeated missed targets.”
• “The program terminated with an error, which is the computing sense.”

Good to know

terminate a contract / agreement / process. Everyday: end. Before it starts: cancel. HR: terminate employment. Formal/legal tone. Noun: termination.

Near in meaning

end

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