Terminus

/ˈtɜːrmɪnəs/

nounmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The end or the final point of something, such as a journey, a line of transportation, or a process.

/ˈtɜːrmɪnəs/

nounneutralmedium
General

The end or final point of something.

The railway line's terminus is in the city center.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a bus ride. The terminus is the last stop where everyone gets off. It's the finish line!

👶 For kids: The very end of something, like the end of the line at a train station.

More Examples

2

The project reached its natural terminus after five years.

3

The bus terminus was crowded with commuters.

How It's Used

Transportation

"The train arrived at its final terminus, Central Station."

Geography

"The river's terminus is the ocean."

Figurative

"His illness marked the terminus of his career."

2

The final, ultimate, or conclusive point.

/ˈtɜːrmɪnəs/

nounneutralAdvanced
General

A final or ultimate point.

The argument reached its logical terminus.

💡 Simply: Think of it as the 'last stop' of a thought, idea, or event, the absolute end.

👶 For kids: The very, very last thing that happens.

More Examples

2

Death is often considered the terminus of life.

3

The investigation reached its terminus with no clear answers.

How It's Used

Philosophy

"For many, the inevitable terminus of life is death."

Literary

"The novel explored the terminus of human ambition."

Tip:Picture the absolute edge of something.

From Latin, meaning 'end, boundary, limit'. It is related to the Roman god Terminus, who protected boundaries.

The word has been used in English since the 16th century, initially to describe boundary markers.

Memory tip

Think of the final station on a train line – that's the terminus.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"end, boundary, limit"

final terminustrain terminusbus terminuslogical terminus

Common misspellings

terminoustermninus

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written