hereinafter defined terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hereinafter defined terms" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in legal, formal, or technical documents to refer to terms that will be defined later in the text. Example: "The parties agree to the following terms, hereinafter defined terms, for the duration of the contract." Alternative expressions include "terms defined later" and "terms as defined herein."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

707, defined terms.

Cornell University

804, defined terms.

Cornell University

1524, defined terms.

Cornell University

1343, defined terms used in this subpart.

Cornell University

923, defined terms for this part.

Cornell University

1748, defined terms used in this subchapter.

Cornell University

147, defined terms used in this subchapter.

Cornell University

697, defined terms used in this subchapter.

Cornell University

1230, defined terms for this subchapter.

Cornell University

Sustainability is not a clearly defined term.

Forbes

The area within the boundary of the National Area shall be divided into two categories; namely, the gorge areas and adjacent areas as hereinafter defined.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this construction for highly formal or legal documents; in standard business communication, prefer simpler alternatives like 'the following terms' or 'terms defined below'.

Common error

Do not combine 'hereinafter' with other future-pointing words like 'later' or 'subsequently' (e.g. avoid 'hereinafter defined terms later'). The adverb 'hereinafter' already contains the meaning of 'later in this document', making additional time-markers redundant and cluttered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hereinafter defined terms" acts as a complex noun phrase where the compound modifier 'hereinafter defined' provides specific locational and functional context to the head noun 'terms'. According to Ludwig, this structure is a hallmark of formal referential language, ensuring that readers understand where the authoritative definitions are located within a text.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hereinafter defined terms" is a robust, albeit highly formal, linguistic tool used to signal forthcoming definitions. While Ludwig shows no exact 100% matches in the provided dataset, the constituent parts—'hereinafter defined' and 'defined terms'—appear frequently in prestigious legal and scientific sources such as Cornell University and various BMC journals. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for professional contracts or technical specifications. For modern writers who wish to avoid 'legalese', replacing it with "terms defined below" can maintain clarity while improving readability. Ultimately, it remains an effective choice for ensuring precise referential integrity in complex documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terms defined below

Uses a simpler adverbial direction instead of the formal legalism.

terms as defined herein

A very common legal equivalent that refers to definitions within the document.

the following defined terms

Shifts focus to the list that follows immediately.

terms defined hereafter

Uses the synonym 'hereafter' which functions similarly in formal prose.

definitions set forth below

Uses more formal verbal construction 'set forth'.

terms specified later

A more neutral and less legalistic version suitable for general writing.

definitions provided in this section

Narrows the scope of the reference to a specific structural unit.

terms as described below

Slightly less precise as it uses 'described' instead of 'defined'.

defined terms

The core noun phrase without the locational adverb.

hereinafter described items

Changes the noun from 'terms' to 'items', common in technical specs.

FAQs

How do I use "hereinafter defined terms" in a legal sentence?

In a formal agreement, you might write: 'The parties agree to abide by the conditions and the "hereinafter defined terms" set forth in Section 4.' This signals that the specific meanings will follow.

What can I say instead of "hereinafter defined terms" in a standard report?

You can use clearer, less archaic alternatives like "terms defined below" or "the following definitions".

Is "hereinafter defined terms" considered old-fashioned?

Yes, it is considered 'legalese'. While perfectly correct in a court or contract setting, it may seem unnecessarily stiff in modern professional or academic writing compared to "terms specified herein".

Which is more common: "hereinafter defined terms" or "terms defined hereinafter"?

The structure "terms defined hereinafter" is slightly more frequent in modern scientific and academic papers because it places the noun first, though both are acceptable in formal registers.