What does terminator mean?
Terminator is a noun for whatever marks, bounds, or brings an end to something. Its most familiar modern use is in computing, where a terminator is a symbol or sequence of symbols that signals the end of data; the familiar null terminator is the end-of-string marker used in many programming languages. In electronics, a terminator is a device or circuit placed at the end of a transmission line to provide the intended impedance and limit signal reflections. The word also has a general sense of an endpoint or limiting boundary and an astronomical sense for the moving line dividing a planet's or moon's daylit and dark portions. A person whose role is to end a process can also be called a terminator, though that use is less common and may sound forceful. Overall, the word is more typical of technical and formal contexts than of everyday description. It is useful when one wants to emphasize a specific ending marker, boundary, or endpoint rather than merely a general stop.
nounA person, thing, device, or symbol that marks or brings an end to a process, sequence, transmission, or other extent.
- A character, symbol, or sequence of symbols that marks the end of a string, record, line, or other unit of data in computing.
- A device or circuit placed at the end of a transmission line to provide an appropriate impedance and reduce signal reflections in electronics.
- A point at which something ends; an endpoint or limiting boundary.
- The moving boundary on a planet, moon, or other celestial body that separates its illuminated and dark portions.
- A person whose assigned role is to end a process, terminate an arrangement, or bring something to completion.
"The null terminator tells the program that the text string has ended."
"The null terminator tells the program that the text string has ended."
"The lunar terminator is the moving boundary between the Moon's illuminated and dark portions."
The plural is standard when referring to multiple ending markers, devices, boundaries, or people acting as terminators.
"Two terminators are installed at opposite ends of the bus."
In computing, a terminator is often an invisible character whose only job is to say: “The data ends here.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does terminator come from?
Terminator comes from Latin terminātor, an agent noun meaning “one who or that which ends,” formed from termināre, “to end,” which is associated with termĭnus, “boundary” or “end.” The noun was borrowed into English in the late 16th century and was initially used with general senses involving a limit, endpoint, or act of ending. It later acquired established technical applications in fields such as computing, electronics, and astronomy.
Related word forms
How terminator is actually used
The word is neutral but often technical or formal. In general contexts it may sound forceful or bureaucratic, while its computing, electronics, and astronomical senses are established specialist terminology.