climax

American  

[klahy-maks] / ˈklaɪ mæks /

noun

1. the highest or most intense point in the development or resolution of something; culmination.

   His career reached its climax when he was elected president.

   Synonyms:

   apex, acme, zenith, summit

2. (in a dramatic or literary work) a decisive moment that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot.

3. Rhetoric.

   1. a figure consisting of a series of related ideas so arranged that each surpasses the preceding in force or intensity.

   2. the last term or member of this figure.

4. an orgasm.

5. Ecology. the stable and self-perpetuating end stage in the ecological succession or evolution of a plant and animal community.

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verb (used with or without object)

climaxes, present (3rd person singular) climaxed, past participle, past climaxing present participle

1. to bring to or reach a climax.

climax British  

/ ˈklaɪmæks /

noun

1. the most intense or highest point of an experience or of a series of events

   the party was the climax of the week

2. a decisive moment in a dramatic or other work

3. a rhetorical device by which a series of sentences, clauses, or phrases are arranged in order of increasing intensity

4. ecology the stage in the development of a community during which it remains stable under the prevailing environmental conditions

5. Also called: sexual climax.  (esp in referring to women) another word for orgasm

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verb

1. to reach or bring to a climax

Usage

What does climax mean? A climax is the most intense, decisive point of something, especially in a story or film.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unclimaxed
  adjective
• hyperclimax
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has climaxed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have climaxed
  perfect
• climaxing
  participle
• are climaxing
  progressive
• climaxes
  singular 3rd person
• am climaxing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been climaxing
  perfect progressive
• is climaxing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been climaxing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had climaxed
  perfect
• were climaxing
  progressive plural
• was climaxing
  progressive singular
• climaxed
  simple
• climaxed
  participle
• had been climaxing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will climax
  simple
• will have climaxed
  perfect
• will be climaxing
  progressive
• will have been climaxing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of climax

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin, from Greek klîmax “ladder,” akin to klī́nein “to lean”

Explanation

When something — like a movie or piece of music — reaches its most important or exciting part, that's the climax. A climax is a high point. When you're on a roller coaster and you reach the highest point, that's the climax of the ride. This word is also used often in art and entertainment. In an adventure movie, there's usually a moment near the end when there's a lot of danger, suspense, and action — a point the whole movie has been building towards. That's the climax. After a climax, tension is released and things calm down. After a climax, you probably want to say "Whew!"

Example Sentences

And when the action reaches its combustible Sam Shepardesque climax, Stephanie Kerley Schwartz’s transformed set leaves little room for the confrontation scene that Flynn directs at full throttle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

The day spent praying there is considered the climax of the Hajj.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

On Tuesday, the climax of the hajj is the gathering on Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometres from Mina, where it is believed the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Lamar put Drake on blast in his halftime performance at the 2025 Super Bowl – the climax of which featured his diss track, “Not Like Us,” that only days prior had earned five Grammys.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

To rush my worries to a climax, my mother also became ill.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• capstone
• turning point