finalize

/ˈfaɪnəlaɪz/
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Settling a plan, document, agreement, or decision into its last approved form, with a specialized programming use for cleanup before an object is reclaimed.

Examples

  • Modern APIs avoid finalize in favor of explicit cleanup.
  • The garbage collector may finalize the object much later than expected.
  • Once the design is finalized, production can begin.
  • Please finalize the budget before the meeting.
  • Legacy Java code sometimes overrides finalize to release native handles.

Similar words

approve
complete
deallocate
tear down
release
finish
lock in
free
close
clean up

Meanings

Make settled and complete

verb
business
neutral
To put a plan, document, agreement, or decision into its last approved form.

Examples

  • The team will finalize the contract by Friday.
  • Please finalize the budget before the meeting.
  • The committee finalized the rules after public comments closed.
  • They still need to finalize the venue and guest list.
  • Once the design is finalized, production can begin.

Similar words

Perform final cleanup

verb
technology
technical
To run final cleanup for an object or resource before a runtime reclaims it.

Examples

  • The runtime finalizes the object after it becomes unreachable.
  • Legacy Java code sometimes overrides finalize to release native handles.
  • The garbage collector may finalize the object much later than expected.
  • Modern APIs avoid finalize in favor of explicit cleanup.
  • The framework finalizes instances that still have pending finalizers.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from final + -ize and recorded in the nineteenth century. The chiefly British spelling is finalise.

FAQ

What does finalize mean?

Finalize means to put something into its final approved or completed form.

Is finalize the same as finish?

They overlap, but finalize often adds the idea of approval, confirmation, or no more changes.

Is finalize American English?

Finalize is standard in American English. Finalise is the usual British spelling outside Oxford-style spelling.

What is the past tense of finalize?

The past tense and past participle are finalized.

Can finalize be used in legal writing?

Yes. Contracts, settlements, divorces, and regulations can be finalized when their terms become settled or approved.

What does finalize mean in programming?

It means to run final cleanup for an object or resource before a runtime reclaims it.

Should code rely on finalize for cleanup?

No. Java and .NET documentation warn that finalization is not timely or guaranteed, so explicit close or dispose patterns are preferred.

What is the noun form of finalize?

The noun is finalization, or finalisation in many British contexts.

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