noun

terminal

TMIH-nuhl

noun

A building where passengers board or leave planes, trains, or ferries.

"Flight 204 departs from Terminal 2."

"We waited in the ferry terminal for over an hour."

A device with a screen and keyboard used to enter and view data on a computer or network.

"The developer opened a terminal to run the command."

"Each checkout has its own payment terminal."

A point on an electrical device where a wire connects to complete a circuit.

"Attach the red cable to the positive terminal on the battery."

adj

Relating to or in the final stage of a fatal illness.

"He was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year."

"The hospice cares for patients with terminal illnesses."

Situated at or forming the end of something.

"The terminal station marks the end of the rail line."

How to Use Terminal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA place or point marking the end of something — an airport building, a computer screen, an electrical connector, or (as an adjective) fatal.

Common mistake

A "terminal illness" means it will end in death — don't use "terminal" loosely for any serious illness.

Common pairings

airport terminal computer terminal terminal illness battery terminal

Word Forms

more terminal comparative, terminaled past tense, terminalled past tense, terminals plural, terminals singular, most terminal superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Flight 204 departs from _____ 2.

Etymology

From Latin terminalis, "pertaining to a boundary or end," from terminus, "a limit."

Antonyms

non-terminal early initial

Related Words

premature early final soon late initial

Rhymes for terminal

final urinal spinal nominal seminal vaginal retinal criminal cardinal original marginal virginal

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