conclusion

The word “conclusion” means the end or final part of something. In plain terms, either the ending of something, or a final judgment reached after thinking something through.

“Conclusion” is pronounced kuhn-KLOO-zhuhn (/kənˈkluːʒən/ in IPA).

Here is “conclusion” used in a sentence: “The film reaches its conclusion in a dramatic final scene.”

“Conclusion” is a noun.

The word “conclusion” comes from Latin. From Old French conclusion, from Latin conclūsiō, from conclūdere ("to conclude").

“Conclusion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Conclusion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the end or final part of something.

A summary restates the main points of something without adding anything new, while a conclusion draws those points together to reach a final judgement, result, or decision. A summary looks back at what was said; a conclusion moves toward what it all means or where it ends.

The final paragraph of an essay that ties the argument together is a conclusion, as is the verdict at the end of a trial. In everyday speech, deciding you were right after weighing the evidence is also reaching a conclusion — the end point of reasoning or of an event.

The opposite of a conclusion is a beginning, introduction, or opening — the part where something starts rather than ends. In a piece of writing this is the introduction; in an event or process it is the start. A conclusion is the closing stage that follows everything before it.

To jump to a conclusion means to reach a decision or opinion too quickly, before you have all the facts. Here 'conclusion' refers to the end point of reasoning rather than the end of an event — you arrive at a judgement prematurely, without proper thought or enough evidence.