ending

Pluralendings

1. 1
   final sectionnouncountable

   The final part of something, such as a story, movie, or event.

   Like the last slice of a cake: the part you reach at the very end.

   The ending of the movie made everyone in the theater cry.

   I felt the book's ending was rushed and unsatisfying.

   UsagePeople often say a happy ending or a sad ending.

   Similarconclusion, finale, close, denouement

   Oppositebeginning, opening

   Note
2. 2
   coming to a closeverb

   Present participle and gerund of end. Use it after "be" (is ending) or as a noun for the act (ending the game).

   The show is ending, so we should head home soon.

   Their long friendship is ending after years of arguments.

3. 3
   nouncountable

   The act of bringing something to a close, or the point where it stops.

   Like the final whistle that brings a game to a stop.

   The ending of the war brought relief to families everywhere.

   Everyone hoped for a peaceful ending to the long dispute.

   UsageSay the ending of something, but the end of is more common: the end of the war.

   Similarconclusion, close, termination, cessation

   Oppositebeginning, start (entry), onset

4. 4
   word partnouncountable

   The small part at the end of a word that shows things like number or tense, like the -s in 'dogs.'

   Like a tag you stick on the end of a word to change it.

   The ending -s on 'cats' shows that there is more than one cat.

   Teachers explain how each ending changes a word's meaning.

   Similarsuffix, inflection

   Note

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