Illustration of last
- 5last
lasted; lasting; lasts
1
: to continue in time
The movie lasted about two hours.
2
a
: to remain fresh or unimpaired : endure
That paint job should last a long time.
b
: to manage to continue (as in a course of action)
She won't last; she'll quit before the week's out.
c
: to continue to live
he will not last very much longer—
James Dennis
James Dennis1
: to be enough for the needs of
The supplies will last them a week.
2
: to continue in existence or action as long as or longer than
—often used with out
couldn't last out the training program
1
a
: following all the rest
He was the last one out.
b
: being the only remaining
our last dollar
2
: belonging to the final stage (as of life)
her last hours on earth
3
a
: next before the present : most recent
last week
His last book was a failure.
b
: most up-to-date : latest
It's the last thing in fashion.
4
a
: farthest from a specified quality, attitude, or likelihood
would be the last person to fall for flattery
b
: lowest in rank or standing
also
: worst
5
b
: conclusive
There is no last answer to the problem.
lastly
adverb
1
: after all others : at the end
came last and left first
2
: most lately
saw her last in Rome
3
: in conclusion
Last, let's consider the social aspect.
: something that is last
: a form (as of metal or plastic) which is shaped like the human foot and over which a shoe is shaped or repaired
Examples of last in a Sentence
Verb (1)
we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more
this heavy drought has lasted all summer
Adjective
He was the last one out of the building.
She succeeded on her last attempt.
These are the last two books in the series.
We are going to the beach for the last week of the summer.
the last cookie in the jar
She said she wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.
He was tragically killed during the last days of the war.
I haven't seen her recently. The last time we met was at a party.
Adverb
He spoke last at the meeting.
My horse was last in the race.
She was first to arrive at the party and last to leave.
I last saw him in the supermarket.
They last went to the beach in June.
This word was last used in the 17th century.
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Jennifer Wills, President and Chief Growth Officer of Kelleher International, has seen the challenges of HNW CEOs, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists firsthand, dedicating her career to combating loneliness with lasting love.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
After her death, Helen leaves him one last gift: a beagle puppy named Daisy.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 6 June 2025
Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 27 May 2025
The Razorbacks have won their home regional 5 times, but failed to advance in 2023 and 2024 when TCU and Kansas State were the regional champions.
Arkansas last won a home regional in 2021 when the Razorbacks defeated Nebraska.
—Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
But how long the pain lasts depends entirely on how long the tariffs, especially on China, remain in place.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for last
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Though school hours in California might range from about 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Olsen said drivers should still be cautious when passing by a school zone because after-school programs can last until 6 p.m.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Jennifer Wills, President and Chief Growth Officer of Kelleher International, has seen the challenges of HNW CEOs, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists firsthand, dedicating her career to combating loneliness with lasting love.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Adjective
The countries expelled each other’s top diplomats last year over the killing of a Sikh Canadian activist in Canada and allegations of other crimes.
—Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
After her death, Helen leaves him one last gift: a beagle puppy named Daisy.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 6 June 2025
Adverb
That’s Truman, age 5, who was last seen lounging in his stall.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 27 May 2025
The Razorbacks have won their home regional 5 times, but failed to advance in 2023 and 2024 when TCU and Kansas State were the regional champions.
Arkansas last won a home regional in 2021 when the Razorbacks defeated Nebraska.
—Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Noun
In second last comes West Virginia, where residents need to be on at least $37,295, up to $111,896, to be considered middle class.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
But how long the pain lasts depends entirely on how long the tariffs, especially on China, remain in place.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for last
Cite this Entry
“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
last
1 of 6 verb1
: to continue in being or operation
lasted three hours
2
: to be enough for the needs of
supplies to last a week
last
2 of 6 noun
: a form which is shaped like the human foot and on which a shoe is shaped or repaired
last
3 of 6 verb
: to shape with a last
last
4 of 6 adjective1
a
: following all the rest in time, place, or rank
last one out
b
: being the only remaining
last dollar
2
: belonging to the final stage
3
: next before the present : latest
last week
4
: least likely
the last thing we'd want
last
5 of 6 adverb1
: at the end
ran last
2
: most lately
saw them last at school
3
: in conclusion
and last, I'd like to talk about success
last
6 of 6 noun
: something that is last
Etymology
Verb
Old English læstan "to last, follow"
Noun
Old English lǣste
Adjective
Old English latost "latest," from læt "late" — related to late entry 1
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