terminal

Everyday

1. A terminal is a big building at an airport, bus station, train station or port where people start or end their journeys. tree →
2. A terminal is one of the metal ends of a battery or electrical part where wires are joined: the positive and negative terminals. tree →
3. (computers) A terminal is a screen and keyboard used to work with a computer, or a program for typing commands. tree →
4. A terminal illness is one that cannot be cured and will lead to death. tree →
5. Terminal means at the end: «terminal station». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on circuits, a battery has a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−) terminal, and wires must join them to make a complete circuit. In travel and everyday life, «Terminal 2» at an airport is where you check in. In coding, programmers type commands into a terminal. In health and family talk, «terminal illness» is a sad and serious phrase. Phrases: «airport terminal», «bus terminal», «positive terminal», «terminal illness».

Examples

• Our flight leaves from Terminal 5. tree →
• Connect the wire to the positive terminal of the battery. tree →
• The bus terminal was busy at night. tree →
• She typed the command into the terminal. tree →
• Grandpa has a terminal illness, so the doctors are keeping him comfortable. tree →
• The ferry terminal has a cafe and a shop. tree →

Note

Countable noun; adjective has no comparative. «Terminal» comes from the idea of «end» (terminus). In circuit problems: current flows from the positive terminal round the circuit to the negative terminal. Do not confuse with «terminate» (to end) or «terminus» (the last stop of a line).