ending

1 of 2

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: something that constitutes an end: such as

a

: conclusion

a movie with a happy ending

b

: one or more letters or syllables added to a word base especially in inflection

ending

2 of 2

present participle of end entry 2, end entry 4

Synonyms of ending

Noun

• end
• conclusion
• finale
• closing
• culmination
• close

Examples of ending in a Sentence

Noun

I didn't like the book's ending.

Common verb endings in English are “-s,” “-ed,” and “-ing.”

You can often recognize an English adverb by its “-ly” ending.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If a page uses a different ending, reach it through your county government's main site rather than trusting an advertisement or an unsolicited email. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

There’s also an ending that revels in a form of catharsis — for the audience watching the play, not the movie — before yanking that, too, away. — David MacK, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

In another series, in another era, those developments might have led to teachable moments and inspiring speeches, and the most bittersweet beats of the series are the ones that suggest how a happier ending could have come to pass. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

And the majority of the film’s detractors took issue with its ending. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ending

• nerve ending
• never-ending

Rhymes for ending

• bending
• blending
• fending
• lending
• mending
• pending
• rending
• sending
• spending
• tending
• trending
• vending

Kids Definition

ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: the final part : conclusion, end

a novel with a happy ending