findings

The word “findings” means results or conclusions from an investigation or study. In plain terms, usually the results of a study, or occasionally small craft supplies.

“Findings” is pronounced FYN-dihngz (/ˈfaɪndɪŋz/ in IPA).

Here is “findings” used in a sentence: “The audit's findings pointed to poor record-keeping.”

“Findings” is a noun.

“Findings” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Findings” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: results or conclusions from an investigation or study.

Results are generally the raw outcomes of a study or investigation — the data or measurements themselves — while findings are the conclusions drawn from analysing those results. In research writing, the results section reports what was measured, and the findings state what it means. In everyday use the two words often overlap.

Findings is the plural of finding and takes a plural verb: "The findings are clear." The singular finding refers to one result or conclusion: "a key finding of the report." In legal and research contexts, the plural form is far more common.

In crafts such as jewellery making, findings are the small components, clasps, and materials used to assemble finished pieces — items such as clasps, ear wires, and jump rings. This craft sense is separate from the research sense of conclusions from a study, so context tells you which is meant.

Findings typically pairs with verbs such as "publish," "report," "present," and "summarize," and with sources such as "the findings of the study," "the inquiry," or "the investigation." Adjectives that commonly precede it include "key," "preliminary," "significant," and "initial."