conclude

American  

[kuhn-klood] / kənˈklud /

verb (used with object)

concluded, concluding

1. to bring to an end; finish; terminate.

   to conclude a speech with a quotation from the Bible.

2. to say in conclusion.

   At the end of the speech he concluded that we had been a fine audience.

3. to bring to a decision or settlement; settle or arrange finally.

   to conclude a treaty.

4. to determine by reasoning; deduce; infer.

   They studied the document and concluded that the author must have been an eyewitness.

5. to decide, determine, or resolve.

   He concluded that he would go no matter what the weather.

6. Obsolete.

   1. to shut up or enclose.

   2. to restrict or confine.

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verb (used without object)

concluded, concluding

1. to come to an end; finish.

   The meeting concluded at ten o'clock.

2. to arrive at an opinion or judgment; come to a decision; decide.

   The jury concluded to set the accused free.

conclude British  

/ kənˈkluːd /

verb

1. (also intr) to come or cause to come to an end or conclusion

2. (takes a clause as object) to decide by reasoning; deduce

   the judge concluded that the witness had told the truth

3. to arrange finally; settle

   to conclude a treaty

   it was concluded that he should go

4. obsolete to confine

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Other Word Forms

• concludable adjective
• concluder noun
• concludible adjective
• nonconcluding adjective
• preconclude verb (used with object)
• unconcludable adjective

Etymology

Origin of conclude

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin conclūdere “to close, end an argument,” equivalent to con- con- + -clūdere, combining form of claudere “to close ”

Example Sentences

The investigation into him also led to a legal battle in the High Court, which is due to conclude in the coming weeks.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

"In the past, the structure of the ram's horn squid shell made some scientists wrongly conclude it was closely related to cuttlefishes.," says Fernández-Álvarez.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that it started the trade-barrier investigation on Friday, which should conclude within six months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

I won’t spoil how the play proceeds but it doesn’t so much conclude as combust.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

In practice, wrote colonial leader Roger Williams, "they will not conclude of ought. . . unto which the people are averse."

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• accomplish
• achieve
• carry out
• confirm
• decide
• determine
• establish
• rule
• work out