end Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun either extremity of something that has length
    terminal.
    • the end of the pier
    • she knotted the end of the thread
    • they rode to the end of the line
    • the terminals of the anterior arches of the fornix
  2. noun the point in time at which something ends
    ending.
    • the end of the year
    • the ending of warranty period
  3. noun the concluding parts of an event or occurrence
    last; final stage.
    • the end was exciting
    • I had to miss the last of the movie
  4. noun the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
    goal.
    • the ends justify the means
  5. noun a final part or section
    • we have given it at the end of the section since it involves the calculus
    • Start at the beginning and go on until you come to the end
  6. noun a final state
    death; destruction.
    • he came to a bad end
    • the so-called glorious experiment came to an inglorious end
  7. noun the surface at either extremity of a three-dimensional object
    • one end of the box was marked `This side up'
  8. noun (football) the person who plays at one end of the line of scrimmage
    • the end managed to hold onto the pass
  9. noun a boundary marking the extremities of something
    • the end of town
  10. noun one of two places from which people are communicating to each other
    • the phone rang at the other end
    • both ends wrote at the same time
  11. noun the part you are expected to play
    • he held up his end
  12. noun the last section of a communication
    close; closing; ending; conclusion.
    • in conclusion I want to say...
  13. noun a piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold
    oddment; remainder; remnant.
  14. noun (American football) a position on the line of scrimmage
    • no one wanted to play end
  15. verb have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical
    stop; cease; finish; terminate.
    • the bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed
    • Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other
    • My property ends by the bushes
    • The symphony ends in a pianissimo
  16. verb bring to an end or halt
    terminate.
    • She ended their friendship when she found out that he had once been convicted of a crime
    • The attack on Poland terminated the relatively peaceful period after WW I
  17. verb be the end of; be the last or concluding part of
    terminate.
    • This sad scene ended the movie
  18. verb put an end to
    • The terrible news ended our hopes that he had survived

WordNet

End noun
Etymology
OE. & AS. ende; akin to OS. endi, D. einde, eind, OHG. enti, G. ende, Icel. endir, endi, Sw. ände, Dan. ende, Goth. andeis, Skr. anta. . Cf. Ante-, Anti-, Answer.
Definitions
  1. The extreme or last point or part of any material thing considered lengthwise (the extremity of breadth being side); hence, extremity, in general; the concluding part; termination; close; limit; as, the end of a field, line, pole, road; the end of a year, of a discourse; put an end to pain; -- opposed to beginning, when used of anything having a first part.
    Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof. Eccl. vii. 8.
  2. Point beyond which no procession can be made; conclusion; issue; result, whether successful or otherwise; conclusive event; consequence.
    My guilt be on my head, and there an end. Shak.
    O that a man might know The end of this day's business ere it come! Shak.
  3. Termination of being; death; destruction; extermination; also, cause of death or destruction.
    Unblamed through life, lamented in thy end. Pope.
    Confound your hidden falsehood, and award Either of you to be the other's end. Shak.
    I shall see an end of him. Shak.
  4. The object aimed at in any effort considered as the close and effect of exertion; ppurpose; intention; aim; as, to labor for private or public ends.
    Losing her, the end of living lose. Dryden.
    When every man is his own end, all things will come to a bad end. Coleridge.
  5. That which is left; a remnant; a fragment; a scrap; as, odds and ends.
    I clothe my naked villainy With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ, And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. Shak.
  6. (Carpet Manuf.) One of the yarns of the worsted warp in a Brussels carpet.
End transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ended; present participle & verbal noun Ending
Definitions
  1. To bring to an end or conclusion; to finish; to close; to terminate; as, to end a speech. "I shall end this strife." Shak.
    On the seventh day God ended his work. Gen. ii. 2.
  2. To form or be at the end of; as, the letter k ends the word back.
  3. To destroy; to put to death. "This sword hath ended him." Shak.
End intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To come to the ultimate point; to be finished; to come to a close; to cease; to terminate; as, a voyage ends; life ends; winter ends.

Webster 1913