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 life span
a finite verb such as “is” or “are”
Recent Examples on the Web
This device can exist in some finite set of states and can predict its own future state on the basis of its current one.
—
Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2024
Suppose there were only a finite number of prime numbers, the largest being p.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 7 June 2024
But since fans’ time—and wallets—are finite, that ultimately translates to a smaller slice of the pie for some performers.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 June 2024
The calendar is finite, so Swift's releases are likely to be less about spiting other artists and more about limited space, and Rukasin may have been motivated less by this particular gripe and more by a general dislike of Swift as an artist.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for finite 
Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2024
Suppose there were only a finite number of prime numbers, the largest being p.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 7 June 2024
But since fans’ time—and wallets—are finite, that ultimately translates to a smaller slice of the pie for some performers.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 June 2024
The calendar is finite, so Swift's releases are likely to be less about spiting other artists and more about limited space, and Rukasin may have been motivated less by this particular gripe and more by a general dislike of Swift as an artist.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for finite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'finite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near finite
Cite this Entry
“Finite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finite. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
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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