closure

noun

clo·​sure ˈklō-zhər 

1

: an act of closing : the condition of being closed

closure of the eyelids

business closures

the closure of the factory

2

: an often comforting or satisfying sense of finality

victims needing closure

also : something (such as a satisfying ending) that provides such a sense

3

: something that closes

pocket with zipper closure

child-resistant closures

4

[translation of French clôture] : cloture

5

: the property that a number system or a set has when it is mathematically closed under an operation

6

: a set that consists of a given set together with all the limit points of that set

7

archaic : means of enclosing : enclosure

Synonyms

• arrest
• arrestment
• cease
• cessation
• check
• close
• closedown
• conclusion
• cutoff
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• end
• ending
• expiration
• finish
• halt
• lapse
• offset
• shutdown
• shutoff
• stay
• stop
• stoppage
• surcease
• termination

Examples of closure in a Sentence

The government forced the closure of the factory.

I need to talk to him and get some closure on this issue.

Going to the memorial service for his late wife made it possible for him to achieve closure.

We all felt a sense of closure after our sister's murderer was sent to jail.

trying to bring closure to the victim's family

Recent Examples on the Web

Like its floral counterpart, this ginormous tote is roomy enough to accommodate a 13-inch laptop, and its top zip closure ensures that your computer will never fall out—no matter how long or bumpy your commute is. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2025

Embrace Productive Tension Negative capability requires the ability to hold seemingly opposing states simultaneously: the ability to project confidence without certainty, direction without premature closure, and conviction without inflexibility. —Michael Hudson, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Balloons are one of the biggest voids left by Party City’s closure. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausura, from clausus, past participle of claudere to close — more at close

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Rhymes for closure

• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• foreclosure
• inclosure
• nondisclosure
• postexposure

Kids Definition

closure

noun

clo·​sure ˈklō-zhər 

1

a

: an act of closing

b

: the condition of being closed

2

: something that closes

a pocket with zipper closure

3

: the property of being closed under a mathematical operation

the set of whole numbers does not have closure under division

Medical Definition

closure

noun

clo·​sure ˈklō-zhər 

1

a

: an act of closing up or condition of being closed up

closure of the eyelids

early closure of fontanels and sutures

—W. A. D. Anderson

b

: a drawing together of edges or parts to form a united integument

wound closure by suture immediately after laceration

2

: a cap, lid, or stopper for sealing a container (as a serum vial)

3

: the perception of incomplete figures or situations as though complete by ignoring the missing parts or by compensating for them by projection based on past experience

4

: an often comforting or satisfying sense of finality

therapy brought closure to the victim's family