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

• 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

One purveyor of fairy tales that wasn’t afraid of a sad ending? —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025

And that might be good business for Netflix, but perhaps the best thing that can be said about Black Rabbit is that its ending likely precludes a sequel. —Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

After Seahawks-Cardinals came down to the wire on TNF in Week 4, last night's 49ers-Rams matchup delivered another memorable ending to kickstart Week 5. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Advertisement While Mun-ju wavers in her aspiration to become the next president of Korea across the series’ nine episodes, Jung knew a commitment to that goal would be the character’s ending point. —Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 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