punchline

Noun

punch line (plural punch lines)

1. The final part of a joke; the word, sentence, or exchange of sentences that is intended to be funny and provokes laughter from the listeners.
   • That was quite a build-up for such a puny punch line.
2. (broadly) The butt of a joke; laughing stock.
   • The women are a phenomenon; the men are a punchline.2019 July 8, Tom Dart, “The US men's team are now a punchline. Which is a little unfair”, in The Guardian
3. (broadly) A final, concluding statement that an explanation has been leading up to; a conclusion.
   • The final, the Munich-based liberal newspaper writes, was a “fitting punchline” to a great tournament.2014 July 14, Philip Oltermann, “World Cup final press reaction: Germany’s win a ‘fitting punchline’”, in The Guardian