What is the term used to describe the end of a musical phrase?

The term that describes the end of a musical phrase is "cadence." In music, a cadence is a sequence of chords or notes that brings a sense of resolution or closure to a musical phrase. It serves as a punctuation mark, similar to a comma or period in written language, signaling the completion of a musical idea or thought. Cadences can take various forms, such as perfect, imperfect, plagal, and deceptive, each providing different sensations of closure and finality.

Other terms, like strophe and chorus, refer to different structural elements in a song. A strophe typically denotes a section of a song where the same music is repeated with different lyrics, while a chorus is a repeated section that often contains the main message or theme of the song, intended to be memorable. The bridge, on the other hand, refers to a contrasting section that provides a break from the repeating structure of verses and choruses, adding variety and interest to the overall composition. Thus, cadence specifically highlights how a musical phrase concludes, making it the correct choice in this context.