Closure

/ˈkloʊʒər/

nounIntermediate📊CommonState
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of closing something or the state of being closed; a conclusion or resolution.

/ˈkloʊʒər/

nounneutralIntermediate
State

The state of being closed or finished.

She needed closure after the breakup.

💡 Simply: Imagine a door finally clicking shut. That's closure – a feeling of something being finished. Like when you finish a tough project or say goodbye to a relationship – it's the sense that it's over.

👶 For kids: When something ends and you feel okay about it.

More Examples

2

The police investigation brought closure to the family.

How It's Used

General

"The closure of the factory resulted in many job losses."

Psychology

"Finding closure after a loss is an important part of healing."

2

The act of officially closing a business, institution, or facility.

/ˈkloʊʒər/

nounneutralIntermediate
Business

An act of closing down a business.

The store closure left many people out of work.

💡 Simply: When a store or company permanently shuts its doors, that's a closure.

👶 For kids: When a store closes forever.

More Examples

2

The closure of the school was met with protests.

How It's Used

Business

"The company announced the closure of its unprofitable branch."

Tip:Think of closing a business or store.

Idioms & expressions

bring closure to

To resolve a difficult situation or emotional issue.

"The trial brought closure to the victims' families."

From Middle English *closur, from Old French *closüre, from *clos 'closed', past participle of *clore 'to close'.

The word's usage in relation to emotional resolution gained prominence in the latter half of the 20th century.

Memory tip

Think of 'close' and add '-ure' to indicate a state.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to close"

bring closure tofind closureseek closure

Common misspellings

closurclosreclozure

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written