finite

adjective

fi·​nite ˈfī-ˌnīt How to pronounce finite (audio)
1
a
: having definite or definable limits
a finite number of possibilities
b
: having a limited nature or existence
finite beings
2
: completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought
the finite velocity of light
3
a
: less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer
b
: having a finite number of elements
a finite set
4
: of, relating to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as a predicate or as the initial element of one and that is limited (as in tense, person, and number)
finite verbs such as "is" and "are"
finite noun
finitely adverb
finiteness noun

Examples of finite in a Sentence

a finite number of possibilities the earth's finite supply of natural resources the finite human life span a finite verb such as “is” or “are”
Recent Examples on the Web This was done to slow down the pace at which supply of bitcoin can be added to circulation, with the number of bitcoins that will ever be created being capped at 21 million as a way to mimic finite resources like gold. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Worse, Penrose tilings are only locally indistinguishable on an infinite plane, which doesn’t translate well to the finite real world. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 In the most ideal circumstances, ATD might be effective with a finite number of aliens whom our scant monitoring resources could effectively handle — maybe a few hundred; maybe a thousand or two? Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 Teams want as much carry-over as possible from the 2024 car into the 2025 car, so that finite resources can be diverted to the new 2026 project during the off-season of 2024-25, with work permitted to begin on the 2026 project on Jan. 2, 2025. Phillip Horton, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2023 Time is finite and as your list of demands grows, your time often yields diminishing returns. Andrew Deutscher, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Russia’s presence in Ukraine, its potential to mobilize, and its industrial base are large but finite. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2024 Resources are finite, even in large companies, and there’s no point in raging at a brick wall. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2024 There is a finite amount of money to address cleanup each year and a shallow groundwater table in our area complicates remedial efforts. Patrick Ceres, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'finite.' 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

Middle English, borrowed from Latin fīnītus "specific, definite, having bounds or limits," from past participle of fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries, limit, put an end to, bring to a close" — more at finish entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of finite was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near finite

Cite this Entry

“Finite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

finite

adjective
fi·​nite ˈfī-ˌnīt How to pronounce finite (audio)
1
: having certain limits : limited in scope or nature : not infinite
2
: limited in grammatical person and number
a finite verb
finitely adverb
finiteness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on finite

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