Plain English Meaning
The block of airspace around an airport where controllers manage the flow of aircraft coming in to land and heading out after takeoff.
Full Definition
A general term used to describe airspace in which approach control service or airport traffic control service is provided. It is the airspace surrounding a busy airport where arriving and departing aircraft are sequenced, separated, and controlled.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in discussions of arrivals, departures, airport control towers, and approach or departure control services.
Derivation
Terminal comes from the Latin terminus, meaning 'end' or 'boundary.' Just as a or train terminal is where journeys begin and end, an aircraft's terminal area is the airspace where the transitions between cruising and the airport itself.