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

• end
• conclusion
• finale
• closing
• culmination
• close

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

That results in an ending that does an almost entire 180-degree flip from its source material. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025

What about the ending of del Toro's Frankenstein? —Megan McCluskey, Time, 17 Oct. 2025

All season, the Brewers have not made excuses, but now that the team is trailing 0-2 and their season is on the brink of ending, Pat Murphy has decided to remind fans of the payroll discrepancy between his team and the Dodgers. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

In a twist ending, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro announced this was a non-elimination round. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 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