midterm

From mid- +‎ term.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɪdˌtɚm/

• Audio (US):

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midterm (not comparable)

1. Halfway through a term, or roughly so.

   The administration is suffering from the usual midterm drop in approval ratings.

   • 2008 April 23, Amy Sullivan, “A Primary with No End”, in Time, retrieved 3 July 2015:

     Most of the rational world . . . foresaw a smooth ride to victory for Democrats. They had, after all, the wind at their backs from the 2006 midterm elections.

• Not to be confused with medium-term.

midterm (plural midterms)

1. A midterm school exam (i.e., halfway through the term).

   I only got a C on the midterm, so I really have to study for the final.

   • 2005 April 13, Robert MacMillan, “Steal This Song”, in The Washington Post, retrieved 3 Oct. 2008:

     It was tough cramming for those midterms and finals, staying up 72 hours straight hepped up on caffeine and pizza.

2. A midterm election.

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