conclusion

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noun con·clu·sion \kən-ˈklü-zhən\

Definition of conclusion

1a : a reasoned judgment : inference The obvious conclusion is that she was negligent.b : the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises; especially : the inferred proposition of a syllogism
2 : the last part of something The team was exhausted at the conclusion of the game.: such asa : result, outcome The peace talks came to a successful conclusion.b conclusions plural : trial of strength or skill —used in the phrase try conclusionsc : a final summation the counsel's conclusion to the juryd : the final decision in a law casee : the final part of a pleading in law
3 : an act or instance of concluding hoped for a quick conclusion to the war

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See conclusion defined for kids

Examples of conclusion in a Sentence

The evidence does not support the report's conclusions.
The evidence points to the inescapable conclusion that she was negligent.
The logical conclusion is that she was negligent.
What led you to that conclusion?
They haven't yet arrived at a conclusion.
the conclusion of a business deal
The case was finally brought to conclusion last week.

Recent Examples of conclusion from the Web

But research that came out a year later could reach no conclusions as to its impact.

— The Economist, "EdtechTechnology is transforming what happens when a child goes to school," 22 July 2017
But the President made the conclusion that millions voted illegally and cost him the popular vote.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s heard-but-not-seen press briefing, annotated," 20 July 2017
The delay between the review board’s closing a case and the Police Department’s challenging some part of the board’s conclusions — either its findings or its disciplinary recommendations — has also grown.

— benjamin mueller, New York Times, "New York Police Challenging More of Review Board’s Findings, Study Shows," 19 July 2017
However, some experts think the study needs to be expanded to more dogs and wolves to be sure of the conclusions.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "What makes dogs so friendly? Study finds genetic link to super-outgoing people," 19 July 2017
The Soviet Red Army’s liberation of Poland in 1945 and the conclusion of World War II didn’t give Warsaw much of a break.

— kelly m. mcfarland, Washington Post, "As Trump leaves for Europe, a question looms: Will he really commit to NATO once and for all?," 6 July 2017
That's probably because Malzahn hasn't named a starting quarterback for next season despite the foregone conclusion from everyone else that Stidham will be the man.

— kevin scarbinsky, AL.com, "Jalen Hurts is lucky he's not coming to SEC Media Days," 6 July 2017
To reach that conclusion, History consulted two independent forensic analysts, who both identified the missing pilot in the photograph.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Smithsonian Curator Weighs In on Photo That Allegedly Shows Amelia Earhart in Japanese Captivity," 5 July 2017
Corinne Olympios has released a statement confirming the conclusion of her team’s investigation into what lead production on season four of Bachelor in Paradise to abruptly shut down.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "Corinne Olympios Confirms She Was Invited Back to Bachelor in Paradise as Her Own Investigation Comes to a Close," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conclusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conclusion

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conclusion-, conclusio, from concludere —see conclude

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

CONCLUSION Defined for English Language Learners

conclusion

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noun

Definition of conclusion for English Language Learners

: a final decision or judgment : an opinion or decision that is formed after a period of thought or research
: the last part of something
: the act of concluding or finishing something or the state of being finished

CONCLUSION Defined for Kids

conclusion

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noun con·clu·sion \kən-ˈklü-zhən\

Definition of conclusion for Students

1 : final decision reached by reasoning I came to the conclusion that the plan won't work.
2 : the last part of something
3 : a final settlement We had hoped for a quick conclusion of the conflict.

Law Dictionary

conclusion

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noun con·clu·sion \kən-ˈklü-zhən\

Legal Definition of conclusion

1 : a judgment or opinion inferred from relevant facts our conclusion upon the present evidence — Missouri v. Illinois, 200 U.S. 496 (1905)
2a : a final summarizing (as of a closing argument) b : the last or closing part of something
3 : an opinion or judgment offered without supporting evidence; specifically : an allegation made in a pleading that is not based on facts set forth in the pleading