ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: something that constitutes an end: such as

a

: conclusion

a movie with a happy ending

b

: one or more letters or syllables added to a word base especially in inflection

Synonyms

• capper
• close
• closing
• conclusion
• consummation
• end
• endgame
• finale
• finis
• finish
• grand finale
• homestretch
• mop-up
• windup
• wrap-up

Examples of ending in a Sentence

I didn't like the book's ending.

Common verb endings in English are “-s,” “-ed,” and “-ing.”

You can often recognize an English adverb by its “-ly” ending.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meet the Real-Life Loves of Netflix's The Residence Cast Keep reading for everything to know about the bombshell ending of The Residence — including the unlikely murderer behind A.B. Wynter’s death. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Out of that, this: a team that had three wins over opponents ranked in the top five at the time and 11 wins over NCAA Tournament teams before this lamentable ending. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025

People seem to go to the movies more for films in which the heroes suffer but ultimately receive happy endings. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025

Where Season 1’s ending directs viewers’ ire toward Lumon, an evil corporation that faked Gemma’s death and then experimented on her, Season 2’s ending puts the climactic weight on Mark. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ending

• nerve ending
• never-ending

Rhymes for ending

• bending
• blending
• fending
• lending
• mending
• pending
• rending
• sending
• spending
• tending
• trending
• vending

Kids Definition

ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: the final part : conclusion, end

a novel with a happy ending