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

Season 3 left off in a dire place — in a shocking twist ending, Ava betrayed Deborah after the comedian had stabbed her in the back by naming someone else as the head writer of her new late-night show. —Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

So the ending of the record is getting up onto the top of the moors and screaming at the sky—and off and into the clouds, and then we’re gone. —Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025

The movie debuts on May 23 and if its profits compensate for Snow White's loss then Disney may get its happy ending after all. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

What happens in the ending of ‘Death of a Unicorn’? —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 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