1.
end of a war; war's end
The conclusion of a war. In Japanese, most commonly refers to the end of World War II on August 15, 1945, when Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration.
終戦から80年が経った。
Eighty years have passed since the end of the war.
祖父は終戦の日のことをよく話してくれた。
My grandfather often told me about the day the war ended.
毎年8月15日に終戦記念日の式典が行われる。
Every year on August 15th, a ceremony is held to mark the anniversary of the end of the war.
When used without further context in Japan, 終戦 almost always refers to the end of World War II (August 15, 1945). 終戦記念日 (August 15) is a national day of remembrance, though not an official public holiday. Compare with 敗戦 (defeat in war), which more explicitly frames the event as a loss. The choice between 終戦 and 敗戦 can carry political nuance.
Related Words
Antonym:
開戦 (outbreak of war)