closure

noun

clo·​sure ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce closure (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And this is something airline bosses will have been painfully aware of when news broke of the closure. Guglielmo Lulli, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025 The timeline of the closures is unclear but clearance sales began in January and were scheduled to run for approximately 8-12 weeks, according to Macy's website. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 It can be worn as a clutch or slung over the shoulder and has a top-zip closure to ensure belongings are safely secured inside. Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Intersection closures: The intersection may be temporarily closed at times to safely facilitate construction and/or utility work. Marcus Dorsey, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for closure

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of closure was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Closure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closure. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

closure

noun
clo·​sure ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce closure (audio)
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 How to pronounce closure (audio)
1
a
: an act of closing up or condition of being closed up
closure of the eyelids
early closure of fontanels and suturesW. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on closure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!