Learn English – Difference between “term” and “period”

time

What is the difference between term and period in meaning distance in time?

Is it possible to use one or both of them when we describe a point in time (We have time till 1st of December so we have to finish the project within this term/period) and when we describe duration (We have two weeks so we have to finish…)?

Best Answer

Generally, a term is more rigid and finite than a period.

term:

2a : a limited or definite extent of time; especially : the time for which something lasts : duration, tenure [term of office] [lost money in the short term]

Examples: academic term, term paper, term life insurance, to carry a baby to term

period:

a : a portion of time determined by some recurring phenomenon

Edit to address OP's question edits:

Is it possible to use one or both of them when we describe a point in time (We have time till 1st of December so we have to finish the project within this term/period)

You could say we have a December 1st deadline, so we have to finish the project within this period (between now and December 1st). What you will often see instead of period here is time frame:

: a period of time especially with respect to some action or project


The second part of your question:

and when we describe duration (We have two weeks so we have to finish...)?

...within this period or ...within this time frame are a better fit than term.

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