closure

clo·sure

noun \ˈklō-zhər\

Definition of CLOSURE

1

archaic : means of enclosing : enclosure

2

: an act of closing : the condition of being closed <closure of the eyelids> <business closures>

3

: something that closes <pocket with zipper closure>

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

: an often comforting or satisfying sense of finality <victims needing closure>; also : something (as a satisfying ending) that provides such a sense

Examples of CLOSURE

1. The government forced the closure of the factory.
2. I need to talk to him and get some closure on this issue.
3. Going to the memorial service for his late wife made it possible for him to achieve closure.
4. We all felt a sense of closure after our sister's murderer was sent to jail.
5. trying to bring closure to the victim's family

Origin of CLOSURE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CLOSURE

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

Antonyms: continuance, continuation

Related Words: mop-up, phaseout; abeyance, break, interruption, layoff, letup, moratorium, pause, standstill, suspension

Near Antonyms: extension, persistence, prolongation

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Rhymes with CLOSURE

crosier, osier