eschatology
Americannoun
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any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters, as death, the Judgment, the afterlife, etc.
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the branch of theology dealing with such matters.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of eschatology
First recorded in 1835–45; from Greek éschato(s) “last” + -logy
Explanation
What happens after death? We won't try to give an answer (even if we had one) here. But if you're interested in exploring this question, you're interested in eschatology — the part of theology that has to do with death or the end of the world. Eschatology comes from the Greek eskhatos, meaning "last," which makes sense given that this branch of theology is preoccupied with the study of the last part of life or death. More specifically, eschatology involves four elements or "last" things: death, judgment, heaven and hell. It's an examination of the ultimate destiny of mankind.
Vocabulary lists containing eschatology
Power Suffix: -ology
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World Religions
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Cosmos
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What this Christian eschatology does pose, however, is an acute problem for the American military.
From Salon ● Mar. 15, 2026
“I think what you’re seeing at First Baptist Church in Dallas is a recognition that a lot of people have questions” about how recent events fit into eschatology, the study of ‘final events.’
From Washington Times ● Oct. 26, 2023
Martin starts rambling off a list of words: thaumatology, ontology, eschatology, epistemology, phenomenology, teleology, etiology, ontogeny.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 12, 2020
Mack’s book also briefly contrasts scientific extrapolation with religious eschatology.
From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2020
He wished to learn the eschatology of the world; he dared to contemplate the Mind of God.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
