SINCE 1828
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finalize

verb
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fi·​nal·​ize | \ ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce finalize (audio) \
finalized; finalizing

Definition of finalize

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
Other Words from finalize Synonyms Usage of Finalize More Example Sentences Learn More About finalize

Other Words from finalize

finalization \ ˌfī-​nə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce finalize (audio) \ noun

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 on the Web Earlier this month the San Diego County Board of Education took over San Dieguito’s redistricting process because the district failed to hold a public hearing about its redistricting map until a month after its deadline to finalize a map. — Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2022 The vote to finalize maps Tuesday was not without its hiccups. — Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 29 Dec. 2021 The commission's mapping team then gets seven days to incorporate those adjustments into the official maps, and the team has a deadline of 21 days after approval to finalize the maps. — Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 22 Dec. 2021 When the time came Sunday for C-USA and its bowl partners to finalize this year’s matchups, ESPN Events made UTSA the top selection from the league, an ESPN spokesperson said Monday. — Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Dec. 2021 The company has 30 days to inspect the building and 60 days to finalize payment of the cash offer. — Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2022 The push comes at the behest of companies like DeepGreen — now called the Metals Co. after a 2021 merger — which have been lobbying the authority to finalize regulations so the mining of minerals potentially worth trillions of dollars could begin. — Todd Woody, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2022 After voting to propose the regulations, the SEC will now take public comment on the plan for as long as 60 days before making changes and holding a second vote to finalize the rules. — Chris Dolmetsch, Bloomberg.com, 31 Mar. 2022 That’s how Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds’ first meeting as the newest members of the Miami Dolphins backfield went last week for Mostert when their paths crossed while taking their team physicals to finalize their signings as free agents. — Omar Kelly, sun-sentinel.com, 21 Mar. 2022 See More

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, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for finalize

final entry 1 + -ize

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Time Traveler for finalize

Time Traveler

The first known use of finalize was in 1875

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Dictionary Entries Near finalize

finality

finalize

finally

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Statistics for finalize

Last Updated

7 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for finalize

finalize

verb
fi·​nal·​ize | \ ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce finalize (audio) \
finalized; finalizing

Kids Definition of finalize

: 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, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

More from Merriam-Webster on finalize

Nglish: Translation of finalize for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of finalize for Arabic Speakers

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