the last/final word

noun

1
: the final thing said in an argument or a discussion
Your mother's decision is the final word on the matter.
Why do you always have to have the last word?
2
: the power to make a final decision
The judge will have the last word on the divorce agreement.
3
informal : the most modern or best one of its kind
This is the last word in wireless phones.
The van's design is the last word in safety.

Examples of the last/final word in a Sentence

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.
Should voters approve the BPO on Tuesday, however, that is unlikely to be the final word on the matter. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Parker took those earlier reviews into account, then gave herself the last word. Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas may have gotten the last word in his beef with New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. without saying — or even writing — a word. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 Instead of using the popular vote to determine the election’s winner, a group of electors have the last word. Doug Melville, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the last/final word 

Dictionary Entries Near the last/final word

Cite this Entry

“The last/final word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20last%2Ffinal%20word. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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!