grand finale

noun

1. the concluding portion of a performance or entertainment, as a musical show, rodeo, etc., usually spectacular and involving most or all of the prior participants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand finale¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir It was like the performance was just the foreplay for the real grand finale.

From Washington Post

The final winner of the evening, The Father star Anthony Hopkins, wasn’t even in attendance, which made for a mighty awkward grand finale.

From Time

Like, for example, Boone and Shannon, who reappeared, however briefly, during the grand finale.

From The Daily Beast

I also began to plan my GOOP grand finale, an enormous Labor Day banquet with recipes from every major holiday.

From The Daily Beast

I watched every episode up to the grand finale, my senior year in college, and cried the whole way through even though—really?

From The Daily Beast

In the very beginning of this grand finale we learn therefore that the visions concern the land of Israel.

From Project Gutenberg

The army looked anxiously for the grand finale of all these extensive preparations.

From Project Gutenberg

But by far the greatest sensation was produced by ‘Auld Lang syne,’ which we sang together as a grand finale.

From Project Gutenberg

We clear the air for the grand finale, at the palace of the French kings at Versailles, four years later.

From Project Gutenberg

Its grand finale was a miniature volcanic eruption, creating a sensation among the Butler mites.

From Project Gutenberg