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.
: 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
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Dec. 2025
How to Decorate a Tree for New Year's The average Christmas tree can last up to six weeks or even longer with proper care.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Dec. 2025
Thanks for that last shot of a fully erect Tommy.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
It's been over a decade since the world last caught sight of Jan Levinson, the frosty, imperious, yet hilarious sales executive played by Melora Hardin on The Office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
The amount of time that an electrical current lasts has a great influence in the severity of the injuries.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 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
Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Dec. 2025
How to Decorate a Tree for New Year's The average Christmas tree can last up to six weeks or even longer with proper care.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
After Doug Meacham departed to become the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State last December, Kirsch was elevated to tight ends coach.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Dec. 2025
Thanks for that last shot of a fully erect Tommy.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Conference favorites Despite being picked to finish last in the American in the preseason media poll, the gambling odds give Charlotte a little more hope through 13 non-conference games.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
It's been over a decade since the world last caught sight of Jan Levinson, the frosty, imperious, yet hilarious sales executive played by Melora Hardin on The Office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
Plus, a new last was also developed for the shoe by widening the originally tight wrestling outsole shape and is paired with a responsive SpEVA midsole and an Ortholite insole.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
The amount of time that an electrical current lasts has a great influence in the severity of the injuries.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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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