1
a
: having definite or definable limits
a finite number of possibilities
b
: having a limited nature or existence
finite beings
2
: completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought
the finite velocity of light
3
a
: less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer
b
: having a finite number of elements
a finite set
4
: of, relating to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as a predicate or as the initial element of one and that is limited (as in tense, person, and number)
finite verbs such as "is" and "are"
finite
noun
finitely
adverb
finiteness
noun
Examples of finite in a Sentence
a finite number of possibilities
the earth's finite supply of natural resources
the finite human lifespan
a finite verb such as “is” or “are”
Recent Examples on the Web
When the finite supply of old R&B 45s was exhausted, the sound-system bosses started to produce crowd-pleasing sides of their own.
—
Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
What the painter learned centuries ago in Ferrara, what George learns in 21st-century London, is that no finite set of rules applies.
—Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
The simplicity of that, the profundity of that, in terms of coming to terms with a relationship that is finite, is really important.
—Max Gao, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Antetokounmpo had to miss some games because of nagging injuries, a reminder of how finite that energy can be.
—Law Murray, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finite
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Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
What the painter learned centuries ago in Ferrara, what George learns in 21st-century London, is that no finite set of rules applies.
—Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
The simplicity of that, the profundity of that, in terms of coming to terms with a relationship that is finite, is really important.
—Max Gao, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Antetokounmpo had to miss some games because of nagging injuries, a reminder of how finite that energy can be.
—Law Murray, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finite
Cite this Entry
“Finite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finite. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
finite
adjective
fi·nite
ˈfī-ˌnīt 
1
: having certain limits : limited in scope or nature : not infinite
2
: limited in grammatical person and number
a finite verb
finitely
adverb
finiteness
noun
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