: 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
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
And if the bickering and bantering between the animal leads doesn’t win you over, the ending will take you down.
—
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
How can there be a happy ending here?
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
The book’s ending takes a different turn from what’s shown in the film.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2025
The story can’t avoid its tragic ending, but Charlie’s Place emphasizes the hope born from Fitzgerald’s act of defiance.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ending
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
How can there be a happy ending here?
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025
The book’s ending takes a different turn from what’s shown in the film.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2025
The story can’t avoid its tragic ending, but Charlie’s Place emphasizes the hope born from Fitzgerald’s act of defiance.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ending
Cite this Entry
“Ending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ending. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ending
noun
end·ing
ˈen-diŋ 
: the final part : conclusion, end
a novel with a happy ending
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