culminate

[kuhl-muh-neyt]

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verb (used without object), cul·mi·nat·ed, cul·mi·nat·ing.

to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually followed by in).

to end or arrive at a final stage (usually followed by in): The argument culminated in a fistfight.

to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually followed by in): The tower culminates in a tall spire.

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.

to bring to a close; complete; climax: A rock song culminates the performance.

Origin of culminate

1640–50; < Late Latin culminātus (past participle of culmināre to come to a peak), equivalent to Latin culmin- (stem of culmen) peak, top + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsnon·cul·mi·nat·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for culminate

conclude, climax, cap, terminate, end, finish, crown, close

Examples from the Web for culminate

Contemporary Examples of culminate

This will all culminate in a mini-series event called The Defenders.
Netflix and Marvel’s ‘Luke Cage’ and a Brief History of Black Superheroes
Chancellor Agard
November 13, 2013
There is no promise that the players will break into song to culminate the show ... but one can hope!
10 Things to Watch at the 2013 U.S. Open
Nicholas McCarvel
August 26, 2013
The overseas portion of the tour is slated to begin this month in the Netherlands and will culminate in mid-December in Belgium.
Cat Power Announces Possible Tour Cancellation, Bankruptcy
Lauren Streib
November 2, 2012

Historical Examples of culminate

And all science must culminate at last in the science of healing—not the weak, but the strong.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
All that terrible day seemed to culminate in this overwhelming misfortune.
The House Under the Sea
Sir Max Pemberton
What was more natural than that their friendship should culminate in a deeper feeling!
Patchwork
Anna Balmer Myers
It was Bassano who started that great Spanish school which was to culminate in Velasquez.
Venice
Dorothy Menpes
In them the antichristian might of the beast will culminate.
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Revelation
William Milligan

British Dictionary definitions for culminate

culminate

verb

(when intr, usually foll by in) to end or cause to end, esp to reach or bring to a final or climactic stage

(intr) (of a celestial body) to cross the meridian of the observer

Word Origin for culminate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for culminate

1640s, from Late Latin culminatus past participle of culminare "to top, to crown," from Latin culmen (genitive culminis) "top, peak, summit, roof, gable," also used figuratively, contraction of columen (see column). Related: Culminated; culminating.