culminate

[ kuhl-muh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, cul·mi·nat·ed, cul·mi·nat·ing.

1. to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually followed by in ).
2. to end or arrive at a final stage (usually followed by in ):

   The argument culminated in a fistfight.

3. to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually followed by in ):

   The tower culminates in a tall spire.

4. Astronomy. (of a celestial body) to be on the meridian, or reach the highest or the lowest altitude.

verb (used with object)

, cul·mi·nat·ed, cul·mi·nat·ing.

1. to bring to a close; complete; climax:

   The president's signature on this bill culminates an eight-year campaign for legislation to help individuals and families finance their long-term disability needs.

culminate

/ ˈkʌlmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by in to end or cause to end, esp to reach or bring to a final or climactic stage
2. intr (of a celestial body) to cross the meridian of the observer

Word History and Origins

Origin of culminate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin culminātus (past participle of culmināre to come to a peak), equivalent to Latin culmin- (stem of culmen ) “peak, top” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of culminate¹

C17: from Late Latin culmināre to reach the highest point, from Latin culmen top

Example Sentences

Finally, in an attempt to be sure that the targeted audience was being reached, an event culminating the work on this project was held virtually.

From ProPublica

The frenzy culminated last summer with the release of streaming behemoth “7 Summers,” a track about a long-lost ex that Wallen didn’t even initially plan to include on his album.

From Washington Post

“It culminated in the type of civil unrest we saw two weeks ago,” Iqbal said.

From Washington Post

Instead, he trained for another four-year “quad” culminating in Beijing 2008, where he won another gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay — his second gold, to go with one silver and two bronzes.

From Washington Post

A year-long dispute between franchise legend Trent Williams and the organization’s new regime culminated in Washington trading Williams to San Francisco for two draft picks.

From Washington Post

This will all culminate in a mini-series event called The Defenders.

From The Daily Beast

There is no promise that the players will break into song to culminate the show ... but one can hope!

From The Daily Beast

The overseas portion of the tour is slated to begin this month in the Netherlands and will culminate in mid-December in Belgium.

From The Daily Beast

And if the Greek philosophy did not culminate in him, yet he laid down those principles by which only it could be advanced.

From Project Gutenberg

What was more natural than that their friendship should culminate in a deeper feeling!

From Project Gutenberg

As we know from the book of Revelation this present age will culminate in the formation of Babylon the Great.

From Project Gutenberg

Man's aim is to culminate; but it is the saddest thing in the world to feel that we have accomplished it.

From Project Gutenberg

During the following night, internal troubles assumed the first definite shape of that in which they were soon to culminate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cap
• climax
• conclude
• end up
• round off
• terminate
• wind up