end (?nd)n.1. Either extremity of something that has length: the end of the pier.2. The outside or extreme edge or physical limit; a boundary: the end of town.3. The point in time when an action, event, or phenomenon ceases or is completed; the conclusion: the end of the day.4. A result; an outcome.5. Something toward which one strives; a goal. See Synonyms at intention.6. The termination of life or existence; death: “A man awaits his end / Dreading and hoping all” (William Butler Yeats).7. The ultimate extent; the very limit: the end of one’s patience.8. Slang The very best; the ultimate: This pizza’s the end.9. A remainder; a remnant.10. a. A share of a responsibility or obligation: your end of the bargain.b. A particular area of responsibility: in charge of the business end of the campaign.11. A warp end.12. Football Either of the players in the outermost position on the line of scrimmage. Offensive ends are eligible to catch passes.v. end·ed, end·ing, ends v.tr.1. To bring to a conclusion: Let’s end this discussion.2. To form the last or concluding part of: the song that ended the performance. See Synonyms at complete.3. To destroy: ended our hopes.v.intr.1. To come to a finish; cease: The rain ended.2. To arrive at a place, situation, or condition as a result of a course of action. Often used with up: He ended up as an adviser to the president. The painting ended up being sold for a million dollars.3. To die.Idioms: at the end of (one’s) rope/tether Out of energy or patience; exhausted or exasperated. at the end of the day When everything is considered; in the final analysis. end it all To commit suicide. in the end Eventually; ultimately: All will turn out well in the end. no end A great deal: She had no end of stories to tell. The news upset us no end. on end1. Having one end down; upright: books placed on end on the shelf.2. Without stopping: drove for hours on end.[Middle English ende, from Old English; see ant- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.