culmination

American  

[kuhl-muh-ney-shuhn] / ˌkʌl məˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or fact of culminating.

2. that in which anything culminates; the culminating position or stage; highest point; acme.

   Synonyms:

   summit, peak, zenith, climax

3. Astronomy. the position of a celestial body when it is on the meridian.

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culmination British  

/ ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the final, highest, or decisive point

2. the act of culminating

3. astronomy the highest or lowest altitude attained by a heavenly body as it crosses the meridian

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Other Word Forms

• nonculmination noun

Etymology

Origin of culmination

1625–35; < Medieval Latin culminātiōn-, stem of culminātiō; culminate, -ion

Example Sentences

His new role marks the culmination of a remarkable rise for Blanche, who worked as a paralegal in the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office while attending law school at night.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

It is the culmination of a nine-day losing streak that has seen Paramount fall nearly 27%—the stock’s longest losing streak since June 2015.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Jordan won the Oscar, a triumphant culmination in his years-long creative partnership with “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler, who collaborated with the actor in “Black Panther,” “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station.”

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

The project is the culmination of an idea about creating a tribute to her community that Halsey began developing nearly two decades ago while studying architecture at El Camino College.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

I’m trying to get all my homework done today, because tomorrow morning is the big procession, the culmination of all the queen events, when I’ll be paraded through the city with Luz and Elsa.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

Related Words

• apex
• climax
• completion
• pinnacle