finality

noun

fi·​nal·​i·​ty fī-ˈna-lə-tē 

fə-

plural finalities

1

a

: the character or condition of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete

… arbitration is intended and expected to provide finality in the settlement of a dispute.

—Matthew A. Kelly

b

: the condition of being at an ultimate point especially of development or authority

2

: something final

especially : a fundamental fact, action, or belief

Examples of finality in a Sentence

“It won't work,” he said, with an air of finality.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dean said a sense of finality struck him only once Purdy began kneeling. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Gordon said that when Williams was first sentenced, there was a sense of finality, one that has since been broken by the recent hearings and the parole process, a separate path available to Williams as a youth offender. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

The finality of the decision, which follows Congress rescinding more than $1 billion in federal funding for CPB this summer, makes permanent what had appeared likely for months. —Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Even moments of capture or downfall adhered to this grammar, carefully staged to communicate rupture and finality. —Debbie Millman, Time, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French finalité, from final final entry 1 + -ité -ity

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for finality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• formality
• frugality
• legality
• lethality

Kids Definition

finality

noun

fi·​nal·​i·​ty fī-ˈnal-ət-ē 

fə-

plural finalities

1

: the character or state of being final, settled, or complete

2

: something final

Legal Definition

finality

noun

fi·​nal·​i·​ty fī-ˈna-lə-tē, fə- 

1

: the state or condition of being final

2

: the principle that appeals may only be taken from final orders or judgments