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

There are questions about the reliability and cost of the testing, as well as the interpretation and finality of its results. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026

There is little time to reflect with such a perilous path ahead, but on Monday, there was the first sense of finality. —Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Kunzweiler, a phlegmatic, gray-haired career prosecutor a generation older, prized the finality of a jury verdict — and the punishment that went with it. —Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

But there was a distinct finality to this moment. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 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