1 [with object] bring to an end:he was advised to terminate the contract
end (a pregnancy) before term by artificial means.
[no object] (of a train, bus, or boat service) end its journey:the train will terminate at Stratford
chiefly North American end the employment of (someone); dismiss:Adamson’s putting pressure on me to terminate you
euphemistic, chiefly North American murder (someone):he was terminated by persons unknown
2 [no object] (terminate in) (of a thing) have its end at (a specified place) or of (a specified form):the chain terminated in an iron ball covered with spikes
[with object] archaic form the physical end or extremity of (an area).
