short-term

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˌtərm 

1

: occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and especially one of less than a year

b

: generated by assets held for less than six months

Synonyms of short-term

• temporary
• interim

Examples of short-term in a Sentence

this is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem

Recent Examples on the Web

And a commitment to seeing childcare not as a short-term expense, but as a long-term economic driver and a crucial component of families’ financial security. —Franklyn Baker, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026

Voters could cast ballots multiple times before November to fill both a short-term and full-term seat. —Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026

Advanced traders will sometimes hedge short-term risk with tools like short futures contracts or protective put options. —Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026

Capelli pointed to the rising cost of living and the spread of short-term rentals, which have pushed many locals out of the historic center. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for short-term

• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm
• berm

Kids Definition

short-term

adjective

-ˈtərm

: short-range

short-term goals

Legal Definition

short term

noun

: short rate