1The end or conclusion of something; the final point of a sequence of events, story, or activity.
この映画の最後にはどんでん返しがある。
There's a twist at the end of this movie.
話の最後になって、ようやく本題に入った。
It was only at the very end of the talk that we finally got to the main topic.
マラソンの最後は本当に苦しかった。
The end of the marathon was really tough.
2The last, final, or most recent item in an order or sequence; often used as "最後の~" (the last ~) or "最後に" (finally, lastly).
最後の電車に間に合ってよかった。
I'm glad I made it in time for the last train.
これが今日の最後の仕事です。
This is the last task for today.
最後に一言だけ言わせてください。
Please let me say just one last thing.
3Used in the pattern "~たら最後" or "~た最後に" to mean "once ~ happens, an irreversible or bad outcome is sure to follow."
あの店のラーメンは一度食べたら最後、やみつきになる。
Once you try the ramen at that shop, you'll be hooked for good.
このボタンを押したら最後、二度と元には戻せない。
Once you press this button, there's no going back.
彼は一度怒ったら最後、なかなか機嫌が直らない。
Once he gets angry, it takes a long time for him to calm down.
4Archaic: the moment of a person's death, their final moments; nowadays usually written as 最期.
老将軍は戦場で静かに最後を迎えたと伝えられる。
It is said that the old general met his final moments quietly on the battlefield.