In algebra, the word term refers to a single monomial inside of a numeric or algebraic expression.

$${\displaystyle \begin{array}{r|l|c} & \textbf{Expression} & \textbf{# of Terms}\\ \hline \text{Monomial:} & 7x & 1\\ \text{Binomial:} & 8 - 2\cdot 5 & 2\\ \text{Trinomial:} & x^2 - 2xy + y^2 & 3 \end{array}}$$

In a polynomial, terms are separated from one another by $+$ or $-$ signs.