Etymology From Middle English tenure, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, from *tenitus, from Latin tentus (from teneō) + -ura.
1
A status of possessing a thing or an office; an incumbency.
All that seems thine own, / Held by the tenure of his will alone.1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Expostulation”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC:
It will be rather entertaining to watch Merriman when he first faces the Transport Select Committee, with his former colleagues likely to be merciless in their questioning. During his tenure, Merriman was pretty sharp, which was no bad thing, and they will make sure he gets a dose of his own medicine.2022 November 16, Christian Wolmar, “Can Merriman use his rail knowledge to make a difference?”, in RAIL, number 970, page 45:
1 more example
Carsley ended his six-game tenure as England's interim manager in the same way he started it, with a comfortable victory over the nation he represented with distinction as a player.2024 November 17, Phil McNulty, “England 5-0 Republic of Ireland”, in BBC Sport:
2
A period of time during which something is possessed.
3
A status of having a permanent post with enhanced job security within an academic institution.
Etymology From Middle English tenure, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, from *tenitus, from Latin tentus (from teneō) + -ura.
1
To grant tenure, the status of having a permanent academic position, to (someone).