1To finish or complete something (transitive). Also used as an auxiliary to indicate completion of an action (e.g., 'to finish reading').
宿題を夕方までに終えなければならない。
I have to finish my homework by this evening.
本を読み終えると、次の本に取りかかった。
After finishing the book, I started the next one.
仕事を終えてから同僚と食事に行った。
After finishing work, I went to eat with a colleague.
2To complete or finish a course of study; to graduate (used similarly to 'to graduate').
彼は三年で大学のプログラムを終えた。
He completed the university program in three years.
高校を終えてすぐに就職した人もいる。
Some people got a job immediately after finishing high school.