: 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
One reason the ending came as a shock was that Vietnam was the original forever war.
—
Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
There’s not always a fairy tale ending.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
And, finally, a bleak week winds up with a very happy ending.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
The first film remains the best (although X comes close), a true shocker with one of the best twist endings in horror history.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ending
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Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
There’s not always a fairy tale ending.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
And, finally, a bleak week winds up with a very happy ending.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
The first film remains the best (although X comes close), a true shocker with one of the best twist endings in horror history.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ending
Cite this Entry
“Ending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ending. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ending
noun
end·ing
ˈen-diŋ 
: the final part : conclusion, end
a novel with a happy ending
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