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the last word

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noun American English pronunciation: the last word
  1. 1
    the last thing said in an argument
    have the last word:

    My sister always has to have the last word.

  2. 2
    information that everyone considers to be the best
    the last word on:

    The book is hardly the last word on the subject.

  3. 3
    the right to make a decision that everyone must obey
    have the last word on something:

    The finance committee has the last word on what we spend.

  4. 4
    the newest and best type of something
    the last word in:

    The company’s newest cruise liners are the last word in luxury at sea.

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