The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word TRIMESTERS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
T
R
I
M
E
S
T
E
R
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "terms — as in US" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case terms — as in us = trimesters.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TRIMESTERS mean?
TRIMESTERS noun- A period of three months or about three months; quarter.
- One of the terms of an academic year in those learning institutions that divide their teaching in three roughly equal terms, each about three months long. Compare semester.