'Tenure' definitions:

Definition of 'tenure'

noun

The term during which some position is held [syn: tenure, term of office, incumbency]

noun

The right to hold property; part of an ancient hierarchical system of holding lands [syn: tenure, land tenure]

verb

Give life-time employment to; "She was tenured after she published her book"

From: GCIDE

Tenure \Ten"ure\, n. [F. tenure, OF. teneure, fr. F. tenir to hold. See Tenable.]
1. The act or right of holding, as property, especially real estate. [1913 Webster]
That the tenure of estates might rest on equity, the Indian title to lands was in all cases to be quieted. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster]
2. (Eng. Law) The manner of holding lands and tenements of a superior. [1913 Webster]
Note: Tenure is inseparable from the idea of property in land, according to the theory of the English law; and this idea of tenure pervades, to a considerable extent, the law of real property in the United States, where the title to land is essentially allodial, and almost all lands are held in fee simple, not of a superior, but the whole right and title to the property being vested in the owner. Tenure, in general, then, is the particular manner of holding real estate, as by exclusive title or ownership, by fee simple, by fee tail, by courtesy, in dower, by copyhold, by lease, at will, etc. [1913 Webster]
3. The consideration, condition, or service which the occupier of land gives to his lord or superior for the use of his land. [1913 Webster]
4. Manner of holding, in general; as, in absolute governments, men hold their rights by a precarious tenure. [1913 Webster]
All that seems thine own, Held by the tenure of his will alone. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
Tenure by fee alms. (Law) See Frankalmoigne. [1913 Webster]