[shawrt-turm] 
| 1. | covering or applying to a relatively short period of time. |
| 2. | maturing over a relatively short period of time: a short-term loan. |
| 3. | (of profit, loss, interest, etc.) of or pertaining to a short term, esp. one year or less. |
Short Term
1. In general, holding an asset for short period of time.
2. In accounting, an asset expected to be converted into cash in the next year, or a liability coming due in the next year. Also known as current assets and liabilities.
3. For investing, a security that matures in one year or less.
4. For taxes, a holding period of less that one year.
Investopedia Commentary
As you can see from above, the exact definition depends on the context. However, in general, you can think of short term as within the next year.
The determination can be very important for taxes. Assets held short-term are generally taxed at a higher rate than assets held for more than a year.
Related Links
Do Your Investments Have Short-Term Health?
See also: Current Assets, Current Liabilities, Long Term, Medium Term, Near Term
short-term
Of or relating to a gain or loss on the value of an asset that has been held less than a specified period of time. For individual tax purposes, an asset held for a year or less is classified as short-term. Compare long-term 1. See also holding period.
Of or relating to a debt security in which a short period of time remains until the face value is paid to the investor. Exactly what constitutes short-term is subjective, although five years and under may be considered the norm.
Of or relating to business assets that are expected to be converted to cash within one year and to business liabilities that are due within one year.