Term

A term is a word that contains linguistic characters, and systems

(Ananiadou, 1994). Carolina defined ‘term’ as a sign closely linked to a
specialized conceptual content. Modern time ‘systematic terminology’ is based
on an idea of science because of being a well formed language (Popp, 2001).
The dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics defines it: “A unit of expression
which has universal intuitive recognition by native-speakers, in both spoken and
written language”. Then the dictionary points out to the problems that cannot be
solved by regular definitions like “units of meaning” or “idea” due to the
vagueness. It can be orthographic for writing and the phonological for speech
(Crystal, 2008). An influencing definition presented by Bloomfield as “minimal
free form” that means the smallest unit capable to constitute a complete
utterances (Crystal, 2008). Jennifer Pearson defining term according to
traditional terminologists as “labels for concepts which are abstract entities
isolated from text. The term which is agreed upon may be a single word or a
multiword unit.” (Ananiadou, 1994, p.1034). A term is also a unit presenting
the same characteristics.

Word

According to Jackson and Ze Amvela (2000) ‘a word is an uninterruptible

unit of structure consisting of one or more morphemes and which typically occur
in the structure consisting of one or more morphemes and which typically occurs
in the structure of phrases’. The word is an indivisible unit, meaning that any
modifications to its meaning occur through the addition of prefixes (e.g.
unaware) or suffixes (e.g. drinkable), or through the use of suprafixes, which are
added simultaneously with the word (e.g. export as a noun vs. export as a verb).
A word can consist of one or more morphemes, with "minimum free forms"
being words that stand alone as complete utterances, such as dog or work.
Term (Terminology) vs Word (Lexicology)

In the field of language and linguistics, the terms "term" and "word" are
often used interchangeably. Once the terms of a terminological inventory are
analyzed and contrasted with the words in a dictionary, some specific
differences emerge:

1. A term is a unit with similar linguistic characteristics used in a special domain

while a word is a unit described by a set of systematic linguistic characteristics
and has the property of referring to an element in reality.
2. Users of words are all speakers of the language whereas users of the terms are
the professionals that deal with the special subject field in question.
3. Words are used in widely varying situations, whereas the use of the terms of a
special subject field is usually limited to professional circles.
4. Terms are normally used to talk about specialized topics. In contrast, words are
used to refer to any subject in daily life, to express feelings and give orders,
and to refer to language itself.
5. Terminology, deals with terms in order to establish a reference to concepts of
the real world on the other hand, lexicology deals with words in order to
account for the lexical competence of speakers.

References

Shair Ali Khan, The Distinction between Term and Word: A Translator and Interpreter
Problem and the Role of Teaching Terminology, International Conference on
Teaching and Learning English as an Additional Language, GlobELT 2016, 14-17
April 2016, Antalya, Turkey

Rajakumar Guduru, Defining a Word: Beyond a Dictionary Definition, Strength for

Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow Volume 11 : EFL University, India, 8 August
2011

M. Teresa Cabré, Terminology Theory, methods and applications, 1992