Terminus

A **terminus** (plural: termini or terminuses) refers to the final point of a journey or a line, such as a railroad, bus route, or a geographic boundary. It represents the end or the concluding stage of something, often implying a destination. It can also refer to a station or other facility located at the end of a route. It figuratively suggests an endpoint, limitation, or the culmination of a process or period. The term is used in various contexts, from transportation and geography to legal and academic fields, highlighting its significance as a decisive and identifiable point of conclusion.

Terminus meaning with examples

• The train finally arrived at its terminus after a long and arduous journey across the country. Passengers disembarked, ready to start their new lives, at the grand station that marked the end of their ride. It served as the central hub for connecting travelers to many other destinations, as well as the ending point of this one.
• The old maps clearly marked the terminus of the known world, beyond which lay uncharted territories. Explorers dreamed of crossing the boundary, but all expeditions always came back to this same destination, or died trying. The edge remained a symbol of mystery and potential dangers for centuries.
• Negotiations reached a terminus when both sides refused to make further concessions, ending the talks. Both had had enough of being told what to do. The mediator ended the discussions when one side would not budge, leading to a period of stagnation, and the end of progress.
• The bus route's terminus was at the university campus, conveniently located for students, to cut down on walking. Each day, students and professors alike rode the bus, making sure to disembark at the end of the ride, to attend class. It was the perfect location, reducing the commute of those who needed it.
• In their research, they identified the terminus of the river, where it flowed into the vast ocean. They tracked its course from the peaks, and watched as it widened. There, they observed the ocean, noting the ending point of the river's journey, where it would soon become one with the ocean.