ending

1 of 2

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

ending

2 of 2

present participle of end entry 2, end entry 4

Synonyms of ending

Noun

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

Examples of ending in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

The former great Herald publisher Dave Lawrence called me about my career and its ending. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Lunch hour has its beginning and its ending, and somehow the whole teeming chaos of midcentury Midtown must be crammed within it, before the hour slams shut. — Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026

No spoilers here, but happy endings abound for all, including Olive and Anh and their best friend-ship. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026

All That Jazz is one of my favorite endings to a movie of all time. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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