Entry Word: conclusion

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning <the detectiveʼs conclusion that the murderer had to be left-handed>

Synonyms deduction, determination, inference

Related Words decision, judgment (or judgement), ruling, verdict; conjecture, guess, surmise; assumption, presumption, supposition

2 a position arrived at after consideration <came to the conclusion that we couldn't go on vacation while the dog was sick> — see decision 1
3 a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause <all their efforts came to no practical conclusion> — see effect 1
4 the last part of a process or action <the conclusion of the speech was a brief summary> — see finale
5 the stopping of a process or activity <a bell signaled the conclusion of the event> — see end 1