Tenure: meaning, definitions and examples

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tenure

 

[ ˈtɛnjər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

job position

The conditions under which land or buildings are held or occupied. The holding of an office or real estate.

Synonyms

occupation, ownership, possession.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tenure

Used primarily in the context of employment or holding a position, especially in academia, referring to the period or term during which someone holds an office or position.

  • The professor received tenure after six years
  • During his tenure as CEO, the company saw significant growth
possession

Refers to having or holding something, which can be tangible or intangible. It is broader than 'ownership' and can imply temporary or permanent control.

  • She took possession of the keys
  • His most prized possession is a vintage car
occupation

Refers to a person's job or profession. It can also indicate the control of a place by a foreign military force, but this is a secondary meaning with a more negative connotation.

  • Her occupation is teaching
  • The country was under occupation during the war
ownership

Denotes the legal right to possess something. Commonly used with property, businesses, or other assets.

  • He has ownership of three houses
  • The company is under new ownership

Examples of usage

  • He was granted tenure at the university after many years of hard work.
  • She lost her tenure as CEO due to the company's financial troubles.
Context #2 | Noun

academic

A permanent job position at a university or college, especially as a teacher or professor.

Synonyms

appointment, position, post.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tenure

Used to describe the period during which someone holds a particular office or position, often in academia or a company. Can also imply job security after a probationary period.

  • She was granted tenure after six years of outstanding performance
  • During his tenure as CEO, the company saw record profits
appointment

Refers to the act of being assigned a job or role, often for a specific duration. It can also mean an arranged meeting or a scheduled visit.

  • Her recent appointment as the new manager has everyone excited
  • I have a doctor's appointment at 3 PM today
position

A more general term used to describe someone's job or role within an organization.

  • He is looking for a position in marketing
  • She holds a senior position in the company
post

Often used to refer to a job or duty, particularly in the context of government, military, or mission-based roles. It can also imply a temporary or situational duty.

  • He was posted overseas for his new job
  • She found a post as an English teacher in Japan

Examples of usage

  • After years of teaching, she finally achieved tenure at the university.
  • The tenure process can be rigorous and competitive.

Translations

Translations of the word "tenure" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mandato

🇮🇳 कार्यकाल

🇩🇪 Amtszeit

🇮🇩 masa jabatan

🇺🇦 термін повноважень

🇵🇱 kadencja

🇯🇵 在職期間 (zaishokukikan)

🇫🇷 mandat

🇪🇸 mandato

🇹🇷 görev süresi

🇰🇷 재임 기간 (jaeim gigan)

🇸🇦 مدة الولاية

🇨🇿 funkční období

🇸🇰 funkčné obdobie

🇨🇳 任期 (rènqí)

🇸🇮 mandat

🇮🇸 kjörtímabil

🇰🇿 мерзім

🇬🇪 ვადა

🇦🇿 müddət

🇲🇽 mandato

Etymology

The word 'tenure' originates from the Latin word 'tenēre', meaning 'to hold'. It was initially used in the context of land ownership and later evolved to also refer to the holding of a job position, especially in academia. The concept of academic tenure dates back to the Middle Ages when universities began offering permanent positions to scholars.

See also: ten, tenancy, tenant, tennis.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,766 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.