culminate
[ kuhl-muh-neyt ]
/ ˈkʌl məˌneɪt /
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.
Nearby words
culm, culmen, culmicolous, culmiferous, culminant, culminate, culmination, culminative, culo, culottes, culpa
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 forms
non·cul·mi·nat·ing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for culminate
British Dictionary definitions for culminate
culminate
/ (ˈkʌlmɪˌneɪt) /
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
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