conclusion

Noun

conclusion (countable and uncountable, plural conclusions)

1. The end, finish, close or last part of something.
   • At the end of the seventh hour, a flourish of trumpets announced the conclusion of the contest; […]1855, William H[ickling] Prescott, “Early Days of Philip”, in History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, volume I, Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, →OCLC, book I, page 60
   • Some have recently questioned whether conclusion of a START treaty is a lower priority for the Bush Administration than conclusion of a conventional force in Europe (CFE) treaty or whether we want to delay START pending progress in CFE.1989 October, Richard R. Burt, “Status of the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks”, in Department of State Bulletin: The Official Monthly Record of United States Foreign Policy, volume 89, number 2151...

   Synonyms:

   endpoint, terminus, cessation, close, end, ending, final, finale, finis, finish

   Antonyms:

   beginning, initiation, start, birth, font, fount, inauguration, commencement, launch, source

2. The outcome or result of a process or act.

   Synonyms:

   bottom line, consequence, upshot

3. A decision reached after careful thought.
   • The board has come to the conclusion that the proposed takeover would not be in the interest of our shareholders.
   • [I]n her boſome Ile vnclaſpe my heart, / And take her hearing priſoner with the force / And ſtrong incounter of my amorous tale: / Then after to her father will I breake, / And the concluſion is, ſhe ſhal be thine, [...]1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, Much Adoe about Nothing. […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act I...

   Synonyms:

   deduction, determination, verdict, award, censure, choice, opinion, decision, ergotism, illation

4. In an argument or syllogism, the proposition that follows as a necessary consequence of the premises.
   • He granted him both the major and minor, but denied him the conclusion.1716 April 19 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 32. Sunday, April 9. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob...
5. (obsolete) An experiment, or something from which a conclusion may be drawn.
   • [W]ee practiſe likewise all Concluſions of Grafting, and Inoculating, as well of VVilde-Trees, as Fruit-Trees, which produceth many Effects.1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn]...
6. The end or close of a pleading, for example, the formal ending of an indictment, "against the peace", etc.
7. An estoppel or bar by which a person is held to a particular position.
   • It was determined, that though the fine operated at first by conclusion, and passed no interest, yet the estoppel should bind the heir1818, William Cruise, A Digest of the Laws of England Respecting Real Property
8. arrangement; settlement.