finalize

play

verb fi·nal·ize \ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz\

Definition of finalize

finalized

;

finalizing

transitive verb
1 : to put in final or finished form soon my conclusion will be finalized — D. D. Eisenhower
2 : to give final approval to finalizing the papers prepared … by his staff — Newsweek

finalization

play \ˌfī-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See finalize defined for English-language learners

See finalize defined for kids

Usage of finalize

Finalize has been frequently castigated as an unnecessary neologism or as U.S. government gobbledygook. It appears to have first gained currency in Australia (where it has been acceptable all along) in the early 1920s. The U.S. Navy picked it up in the late 20s, and from there it came into widespread use. It is a standard formation (see -ize ). Currently, it is most frequently used in government and business dealings; it usually is not found in belles-lettres.

Examples of finalize in a Sentence

They are finalizing their divorce this week.
We bought our tickets and finalized our vacation plans.

Recent Examples of finalize from the Web

The United States, surprisingly, also did not provide enough finalized data for UNAIDS to fill out its scorecard.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "For first time in history, half of all people with HIV are getting treatment," 20 July 2017
No plans for the Connecticut property have been finalized, Crisostomo said, but a chapel will probably be restored as a new house of worship, and the church expects to keep the four residential properties and possibly add some more.

— michael melia, The Seattle Times, "Filipino church feeds expansion by buying ghost town in US," 16 July 2017
No plans for the Connecticut property have been finalized, Crisostomo said, but a chapel will probably be restored as a new house of worship, and the church expects to keep the four residential properties and possibly add some more.

— Washington Post, "Filipino church feeds expansion by buying ghost town in US," 16 July 2017
Once design work is finalized, equipment for the park can be ordered.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville Jaycees to consider funding outdoor Wi-Fi park," 10 July 2017
Though the military-aid budget has not been finalized, Trump administration officials have reassured Egypt that its package will remain intact, even as aid to other U.S. allies like Pakistan and Colombia may be downgraded.

— avi asher-schapiro, The Atlantic, "Egypt's Best Friends in D.C.," 8 July 2017
The installation of 70 new light poles and landscape restoration will be finalized on the trail in the coming weeks, the city said.

— mary wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, "First section of lakefront bike, pedestrian trail separation complete: city," 7 July 2017
The IronBirds also scored a run in the eigth, as did Hudson Valley to finalize the score.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Get the water, the IronBirds are on fire," 3 July 2017
The 5,000-strong force will be deployed by September, and its funding will be finalized by then, Macron said at a press conference.

— baba ahmed, The Seattle Times, "French president vows support in Africa anti-extremist fight," 2 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'finalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of finalize

1875

FINALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

finalize

play

verb

Definition of finalize for English Language Learners

: to put (something, such as a plan or an agreement) in a final or finished form

FINALIZE Defined for Kids

finalize

play

verb fi·nal·ize \ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz\

Definition of finalize for Students

finalized

;

finalizing

: to put in a final or finished form … Hermione ushered them out of the hall to finalize their plans for the evening. — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets