tenure

Definition of tenure

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman < Old French teneure < Vulgar Latin *tenitura < *tenit(us) < Latin tentus (< teneō) + -ura.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈte.njɚ/

Noun

tenure (plural tenures)

1. a status of possessing a thing or an office; an incumbency
2. a period of time during which it is possessed
3. a status of having a permanent post at an academic institution
4. a right to hold land under the feudal system

Synonyms

• (a status of possessing a thing or an office): incumbency

Verb

tenure (third-person singular simple present tenures, present participle tenuring, simple past and past participle tenured)

1. (transitive) To grant tenure, the status of having a permanent academic position, to (someone).