capstone

[kap-stohn]

noun

1. a finishing stone of a structure.

2. the crowning achievement, point, element, or event.

capstone

/ ˈkəʊpˌstəʊn, ˈkæpˌstəʊn /

noun

1. one of a set of slabs on the top of a wall, building, etc

2. mountaineering a chockstone occurring at the top of a gully or chimney

3. a crowning achievement; peak

   the capstone of his career

Word History and Origins

Origin of capstone¹

1350–1400; Middle English. See cap ¹, stone

Example Sentences

Anderson knew if he could confirm the ownership, it would be a boon — perhaps a capstone to his legacy as a watchmaker and collector.

From Los Angeles Times

After months of making do, the seniors’ graduation ceremony on a stage reserved for stars served as a capstone, illustrating their resilience.

From Los Angeles Times

The bill is the capstone to decades of debate and controversy in California on how best to teach reading amid stubbornly low test scores.

From Los Angeles Times

CANNES, France — Saturday’s awards ceremony put a capstone on another edition of the Cannes Film Festival, but the bruises we received from some of our favorite films are ones we’ll be rubbing for a while.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gypsy” has been called the “King Lear” of musicals for the capstone tyrannical parent role it provides an actor of a certain age.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• height 
• pinnacle 
• summit 
• top