tenure

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
tenure /ˈtɛnjə/

▶noun

• 1 the conditions under which land or buildings are held or occupied.

• 2 the holding of an office.

  ■ the period of this.

▶verb give a permanent post to.

■ (as adj. tenured) having or denoting such a post.

– phrases
security of tenure

• 1 the right of a tenant of property to occupy it after the lease expires (unless a court should order otherwise).

• 2 guaranteed permanent employment after a probationary period.

– origin ME: from OFr., from tenir ‘to hold’, from L. tenere.