The terminal stage or final phase of life, illness, or an event. In medicine it often refers to the period close to death (e.g., terminal cancer).
医師は彼が末期のがんであると告げた。
The doctor told him he had terminal cancer.
戦争は末期を迎えていたが、犠牲は続いた。
The war had entered its final stage, yet the casualties continued.
末期の患者には痛みの緩和（緩和ケア）が重要だ。
Palliative care (pain relief) is important for terminal patients.