periodend

Periodend is a term used to denote the end of a defined recurring interval or cycle in various disciplines. It is sometimes written as period-end or period end and is not universally standardized, but often functions as a generic label for the boundary that separates successive periods.

In mathematics and signal processing, the periodend refers to the instant when a periodic phenomenon completes one full cycle. For a function with period T, the periodend occurs at times t = nT for integers n, marking the transition to the next cycle. It is closely related to the concept of a period boundary or phase zero.

In finance and accounting, periodend describes the cut-off date used to close books for a reporting period, such as month-end, quarter-end, or year-end. In data analysis, it may represent the last observation included in a moving window or sample batch. In meteorology and operations, periodend can denote the final date in a defined data collection window.

Etymology and usage: Periodend combines period and end. Hyphenation varies; some sources prefer period-end or period end. It is chiefly found in technical documentation and project reports. Because the term is context-dependent, readers are advised to define it clearly when introducing it.