culminating

American  

[kuhl-muh-ney-ting] / ˈkʌl məˌneɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. being or nearing the highest point or final stage.

   The mountain, which rises to 1,125 meters, is the culminating point of the Luberon mountain range.

   All students are required to participate in a capstone course that serves as the culminating experience of the degree.

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Other Word Forms

• nonculminating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of culminating

First recorded in 1660–70; culminat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The recipes in “The Book of Pizza” go from simpler and more traditional to considerably more creative, culminating in a sourdough Detroit pizza with a cacio e pepe topping.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Come May 16, their pieces will be catwalk-ready, culminating in a full-production fashion show on campus.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

The sprawling, nearly six-week-long spectacle kicks off at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11 before culminating in the final at New Jersey's 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium on July 19.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Now Stafford walked Jessica through the recent developments in the investigation, culminating in the arrest and charge of a suspect more than 34 years after her mother’s murder.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

But the long-term trend has still been toward large, complex societies, culminating in states.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond