midterm

adj

1. (not-comparable)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.”

noun

1. 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.”

2. 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.”

   “But White House officials have privately grown frustrated with her performance, as Republican midterm strategists raise alarms about the political damage.”