midterm meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

midterm

adj

US /ˈmɪdˌtɚm/

Etymology From mid- + term.

Halfway through a term, or roughly so.

The administration is suffering from the usual midterm drop in approval ratings.
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.2008 April 23, Amy Sullivan, “A Primary with No End”, in TIME, archived from the original on 16 Mar 2014, retrieved 03 Jul 2015:

noun

Etymology From mid- + term.

Education 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.
It was tough cramming for those midterms and finals, staying up 72 hours straight hepped up on caffeine and pizza.2005 April 13, Robert MacMillan, “Steal This Song”, in The Washington Post, archived from the original on 07 Sep 2008, retrieved 03 Oct 2008:

Government, Politics A midterm election.

The AAPI electorate has become more politically engaged in recent election cycles, and although it is not a voting bloc that has historically shown strong support for Trump, growing skepticism toward him could influence key battlegrounds in the 2026 midterms and beyond.2025 July 27, Emma Marsden, “Donald Trump's Favorability Rating Falls With AAPI Adults”, in Newsweek, archived from the original on 29 Jul 2025:
But White House officials have privately grown frustrated with her performance, as Republican midterm strategists raise alarms about the political damage.2026 February 13, Nick Miroff, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Michael Scherer, “Kristi Noem’s Audience of One”, in Jeffrey Goldberg, editor, The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC: