Delete a taxonomy term

wp_delete_term permanently removes one term using native WordPress behavior. It does not delete the posts that used it. Their taxonomy assignments and child-term relationships may change, and links to the removed archive may need updating.

Required arguments are taxonomy and term_id. Applying also requires expected_revision and a single-use approval_id; dry_run: true previews the operation.

1. Read wp_get_term and its count, parent, translations and revision.
2. List direct children with wp_get_terms using that term ID as parent. Inspect affected content, menus and listings before removing a populated or parent term.
3. Preview using the current expected_revision. The response includes the full before snapshot and its revision.
4. Submit the intended deletion and approve its review.
5. Repeat the exact request with approval_id. Inspect deleted and before, then verify the remaining taxonomy and affected content.

The taxonomy's management capability and delete_term capability for this term are required, plus content-write scopes and the content gate. Default terms or other WordPress restrictions can prevent deletion. Terms have no trash or automatic undo.

For a display-name correction, use wp_update_term or the name-only batch described in the taxonomy reference.