1To finish or complete something one has been doing; also widely used as an auxiliary verb attached to another verb's stem to show that action is complete (e.g. 食べ終える 'finish eating').
会議を予定より早く終えることができた。
We were able to finish the meeting earlier than planned.
レポートを書き終えたら、そのまま寝てしまった。
Once I finished writing the report, I fell straight asleep.
一日の仕事を終えると、彼はいつも散歩に出かける。
After finishing the day's work, he always goes for a walk.
長かった手術を無事に終えたと医師が知らせてくれた。
The doctor let us know that the long surgery had finished safely.
2To complete a course of study or schooling; a somewhat formal way of saying 'to graduate.'
彼女は四年間の課程を優秀な成績で終えた。
She completed the four-year program with excellent grades.
義務教育を終えた後、彼は職人の道に進んだ。
After finishing compulsory education, he pursued the path of a craftsman.