finality

noun

fi·​nal·​i·​ty fī-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce finality (audio)
fə-
plural finalities
1
a
: the character or condition of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete
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 Somehow, seeing the words in writing conveyed a different finality, sending Forrest into a downward spiral. Maya Miller, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2023 Related Stories Perhaps the most surprising thing about the new Curb Your Enthusiasm season — which premiered Feb. 4 — is that, despite the show having no mysteries that require solving and no loose ends to tie up, there actually is a whiff of finality about it. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2024 So what’s an Eagles gig suffused with finality sound like? Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2024 Unlike shows such as Unsolved Mysteries, episodes of Forensic Files typically end with a sense of finality, with investigations having led to convictions or acquittals. Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 The Catskills camping trip Chris and Sam are planning might just be the latest in a long family tradition of them, but there’s an air of finality to this one — a sense that their roles won’t be quite the same going forward. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024 The title does have an air of at least temporary finality to it, as if the cupboard is bare. Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 Even so, there’s not much left for Khaled to conquer musically, which might explain the sense of finality that looms over this next project. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023 Rodgers is, of course, no stranger to working under pressure, so the weight of this finality didn’t derail him in the process. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'finality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of finality was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near finality

Cite this Entry

“Finality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finality. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

finality

noun
fi·​nal·​i·​ty fī-ˈnal-ət-ē How to pronounce finality (audio)
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- How to pronounce finality (audio)
1
: the state or condition of being final
2
: the principle that appeals may only be taken from final orders or judgments

More from Merriam-Webster on finality

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