C1noun 2K

Closure

UK /["/ˈkləʊʒə(r)/"]/ US /["/ˈkləʊʒər/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

the situation when a factory, school, hospital, etc. shuts permanently

Listen to definition

In simple words: The end of something or feeling of being finished.

Examples

• factory closures
• The hospital has been threatened with closure.
• Spending cuts could mean the closure of the village school.
• Several schools face eventual closure.
• The factory is under threat of closure.
• The mine has been saved from closure.
• There will be road closures and diversions in the area from 8 p.m.
• The accident caused the complete closure of the road.
• The conviction of their son's murderer helped to give them a sense of closure.
• People who lose family members need closure, not false hope.

Usage notes

Used in both personal and professional contexts. In therapy, it refers to coming to terms with a past situation. In business, it might mean the conclusion of a project.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a door closing - that gives you closure!

Collocations

• complete
• total
• partial
• be earmarked for
• be threatened with
• face
• plan
• programme/​program
• order
• under threat of closure
• complete
• total
• partial
• be earmarked for
• be threatened with
• face
• plan
• programme/​program
• order
• under threat of closure
• final
• narrative
• be looking for
• need
• seek
• a sense of closure

Synonyms

• conclusion
• finality
• resolution
• completion
• wrap-up

Antonyms

• confusion
• openness

Common mistakes

• Confusing 'closure' with 'close'.
• Using 'closure' when referring to physical spaces rather than emotional states.
• Overusing 'closure' in contexts where 'conclusion' or 'resolution' would be clearer.