An outcome is the result or consequence of an action, event, or process. It's what happens in the end, after everything else has played out.

When you study hard for a spelling bee, the outcome might be that you win first place, or that you make it to the semifinals, or that you learn fifty new words you'll remember forever. When a scientist conducts an experiment, she records the outcome to see whether her hypothesis was correct. When a sports team practices new plays all season, the outcome of their hard work shows up in their win-loss record.

An outcome can be something you hoped for, something you dreaded, or something you never expected. Sometimes people say “no matter the outcome” when they mean they'll accept whatever happens. A doctor might explain the possible outcomes of a treatment so a patient can make an informed decision.

Every choice you make, from how you treat a friend to how much effort you put into a project, leads to an outcome. Some outcomes happen immediately, while others might not appear for years.