term of years

English

Etymology

From term +‎ of +‎ years.

Noun

term of years (plural terms of years)

1. (law, formal) An estate in land held under a lease which is not perpetual or indefinite in length, though in some cases may be contingent on some guaranteed occurrence.
2. (law, idiomatic) The lease under which that estate in land is held.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see term,‎ year.

Derived terms

• term of years absolute
• term of years determinable