conclusion

noun

con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən 

1

a

: a reasoned judgment : inference

The obvious conclusion is that she was negligent.

b

: the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises

especially : the inferred proposition of a syllogism

2

: the last part of something

The team was exhausted at the conclusion of the game.

: such as

a

: result, outcome

The peace talks came to a successful conclusion.

b

conclusions plural : trial of strength or skill

—used in the phrase try conclusions

c

: a final summation

the counsel's conclusion to the jury

d

: the final decision in a law case

e

: the final part of a pleading in law

3

: an act or instance of concluding

hoped for a quick conclusion to the war

Synonyms of conclusion

• inference
• deduction
• determination
• decision

Examples of conclusion in a Sentence

The evidence does not support the report's conclusions.

The evidence points to the inescapable conclusion that she was negligent.

The logical conclusion is that she was negligent.

What led you to that conclusion?

They haven't yet arrived at a conclusion.

the conclusion of a business deal

The case was finally brought to conclusion last week.

Recent Examples on the Web

And while the Lanterns are sort of wrong about the latter (more on that to follow), the jump to the former conclusion feels a tad out of the blue. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

That didn’t stop more controversy from falling on the conference’s doorstep Saturday night, when one more play produced a conclusion that will likely be talked about for decades. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

For the next few minutes, the courtroom was silent, the gallery seemingly resigned to the conclusion and gravely awaiting the jury’s entrance so the judge could formally declare the mistrial. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

How could lay people, in light of these instructions, come to a unanimous conclusion as to what Clancy was thinking? — Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conclusion-, conclusio, from concludere — see conclude

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing conclusion

• bring to a conclusion
• bring to conclusion
• come to the conclusion
• draw a conclusion
• foregone conclusion
• in conclusion
• reach a conclusion
• reach its conclusion

Rhymes for conclusion

• allusion
• collusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

conclusion

noun

con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: a final decision reached by reasoning

came to the conclusion that we couldn't go

2

a

: the last part of something : end

b

: a final result : outcome

c

: a final summing up

the conclusion of a speech

3

: an act or instance of concluding

Legal Definition

conclusion

noun

con·​clu·​sion kən-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: a judgment or opinion inferred from relevant facts

our conclusion upon the present evidence

—Missouri v. Illinois, 200 U.S. 496 (1905)

2

a

: a final summarizing (as of a closing argument)

b

: the last or closing part of something

3

: an opinion or judgment offered without supporting evidence

specifically : an allegation made in a pleading that is not based on facts set forth in the pleading