Conclusion

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kÉ™nˈkluːʒən/

Origin

From Old French conclusion, from Latin conclusio, from the past participle stem of concludere ("to conclude").

Full definition of conclusion

Noun

1. The end, finish, close or last part of something.
• PrescottA flourish of trumpets announced the conclusion of the contest.
2. The outcome or result of a process or act.
3. A decision reached after careful thought.
• ShakespeareAnd the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
4. The board has come to the conclusion that the proposed takeover would not be in the interest of our shareholders.
• Schuster Hepaticae V|viiWith fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get...h
5. (logic) In an argument or syllogism, the proposition that follows as a necessary consequence of the premises.
• AddisonHe granted him both the major and minor, but denied him the conclusion.
6. (obsolete) An experiment, or something from which a conclusion may be drawn.
• Francis BaconWe practice likewise all conclusions of grafting and inoculating.
7. (legal) The end or close of a pleading, e.g. the formal ending of an indictment, "against the peace", etc.
8. (legal) An estoppel or bar by which a person is held to a particular position.

Related terms

• conclude
• conclusive

Antonyms

• (end) beginning, start

Coordinate terms

• (in logic) premise