being the legal owner of land, a job, or an official public position, or the period of time during which you own it

During his tenure as dean, he had a real influence on the students. 他在当教务长期间，对学生们影响很大。

the right to remain permanently in a job

She is one of the few people in the English Department who has tenure. 她是英语系少数几个获得了终身职位的讲师之一。

professors (= those likely to get tenure) who don't publish enough work may not be offered tenure. 有机会获得终身职位的教授如果发表数量不足，可能不会给予终身职位。