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 of ending

• 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

Despite the shutdown ending, airlines and aviation experts cautioned travelers should prepare for further flight disruptions throughout the week because of crews and planes being out of position from flight cancellations. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

For obvious reasons, a 2025 telling of this story was never going to end with a plane flying into a building — beyond the unfortunate 9/11 allusion, an ending that depressing is exceedingly rare in a mainstream studio release. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

And the story of the city’s slithering saurian appears to have a happy ending. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025

The branching narrative manages to tie back together into a serviceable ending, but there’s also multiple ones. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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