1
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
verb
lasts;
lasted;
lasting
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
verb
lasts;
lasted;
lasting
Britannica Dictionary definition of LAST
1
a
[no object]
:
to continue in time
-
How long does the movie last?
-
The movie lasts (for) about two hours. [=the movie is about two hours long]
-
The conference starts on Monday and it lasts until Friday.
-
The game lasted (for) three hours.
-
Don't worry, the storm won't/can't last. [=the storm will end soon]
b
[no object]
:
to continue in good condition
-
The car should last 10 years.
-
I doubt that those boots will last (much longer).
-
That bridge will last a long time.
-
Our products are built to last.
c
[no object]
:
to continue to be available
d
:
to continue to be enough for the needs of someone
[no object]
[+ object]
2
[no object]
a
:
to be able to continue in a particular situation or condition
b
:
to continue to live
-
My father is very ill. He may not last much longer.
-
He may not last (through) the night. [=he may die before the night has ended]
-
(chiefly Brit) He may not last out the night.
2
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
adjective
2
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of LAST
1
a
:
coming after all others in time, order, or importance
:
final
-
He was the last one out of the building.
-
She succeeded on her last attempt.
-
These are the last two books in the series.
-
He was sitting in the last [=back] row.
-
We are going to the beach for the last week of the summer.
-
The (very) last time we ever met was at a party. = (Brit) The last ever time we met was at a party.
-
I'll have my revenge if it's the last thing I (ever) do! [=I am determined to get my revenge]
b
:
remaining after the rest are gone
-
I am down to my last dollar. [=I have one dollar left]
-
the last cookie in the jar
-
She said she wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.
2
:
belonging to the final part of something
3
:
most recent
—
used to identify a preceding period of time
-
Last month we went to the museum.
-
The weather was fine last week, but this week has been rainy, and next week is expected to be cold.
-
He had trouble last semester in school.
-
We saw them last week.
every last
—
used as a more forceful way of saying every
last gasp
:
a final attempt or effort made at the very end
—
see also last-gasp
last thing
:
after everything else
:
very late
on your/its last legs
—
see 1leg
the last straw
—
see straw
the last word
—
see 1word
to the last man
—
see 1man
3
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
adverb
3
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of LAST
1
:
after any others in time, order, or importance
-
He spoke last at the meeting.
-
My horse was/finished last in the race.
-
My horse came in last. = (chiefly Brit) My horse came last.
-
Last (of all) came the soldiers and tanks.
-
She was first to arrive at the party and last to leave.
:
at the end
◊ In figurative use, something or someone that comes last is less important than other things or people.
2
:
most recently
:
on the most recent occasion
-
I last saw him in the supermarket.
-
They last went to the beach in June.
-
This word was last used in the 17th century.
3
—
used to introduce a final statement or subject
last but not least
—
used to say that a final statement is not less important than previous statements
-
The television is big, has an excellent picture, and last but not least, it's cheap.
-
Last but not least, I would like to introduce our new vice president.
4
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
pronoun
4
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
pronoun
Britannica Dictionary definition of LAST
1
the last
:
the last person or thing in a group or series
-
He was the last in line.
-
It was the last of many delays.
-
She was the last to leave.
-
The last of the tests was given today.
-
This is the first time we've been here, but it definitely won't be the last! [=we will definitely come here again]
2
a
the last
:
the last time someone is seen, something is mentioned, etc.
-
I guess that is the last we will see of her. [=the last time we will see her]
-
I hope that we have finally seen the last of them. [=I hope that we will not see them again]
-
He knew he had not heard the last of his mistake. [=that people would continue to talk to him about his mistake]
-
Don't tell them about your mistake or you'll never hear the last of it. [=they'll keep reminding you of it]
c
informal
—
used to describe the most recent information you have about someone or something
-
“Where's Hank these days?” “(The) Last I heard, he was living in New York.” [=the most recent information I have heard is that he was living in New York]
-
“Do you know where my keys are?” “(The) Last I saw [=the last time I saw them], they were in the kitchen.”
3
the last
b
:
the end of someone's life
4
a
:
the final thing or things that have been mentioned previously
b
:
the most recent one of something
breathe your last
literary
5
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
noun
5
last
/ˈlæst/
Brit
/ˈlɑːst/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of LAST
at last
or
at long last
:
after a delay or long period of time
-
She was at last [=finally] reunited with her sister.
-
We're finished at last.
-
“We're finished.” “At last!”
-
It appears that this problem will soon be solved, at long last.