culminate

verb

cul·mi·nate ˈkəl-mə-ˌnāt

culminated; culminating

Synonyms of culminate next

intransitive verb

of a celestial body : to reach its highest altitude

During the summer solstice, the sun culminates over the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere.

also : to be directly overhead

: to rise to or form a summit

… enormous waves culminated and fell with the report of thunder.—

Frederick Marryat

: to reach the highest or a climactic or decisive point

Her long acting career culminated when she won the Oscar.

transitive verb

: to bring to a head or to the highest point

The contract culminated weeks of negotiations.

Did you know?

When a star or other heavenly body culminates, it reaches its highest point above the horizon from the vantage point of an observer on the ground. Culminate was drawn from Medieval Latin culminare, meaning "to crown," specifically for this astronomical application. Its ultimate root is Latin culmen, meaning "top." Today, the word’s typical context is less lofty: it can mean “to reach a climactic point,” as in “a long career culminating in a prestigious award,” but it can also simply mean "to reach the end of something,” as in “a sentence culminating in a period.”

Examples of culminate in a Sentence

A bitter feud culminated months of tension. culminated the school year with a trip to New York

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Attendees experienced a dynamic mix of panel discussions, live performances, workshops, and industry mixers, all culminating in the Touring Awards Ceremony. —

Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024 These efforts over the years have culminated in many creative applications that are transforming financial services, transportation, healthcare and public safety within the European Union and beyond. —

Will Townsend, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024 Recently, Juntos hosted a series of workshops with the community in Eastlake Edison that culminated in a multi-course dinner service. —

Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024 These efforts culminated in late September, when Zelensky again visited the United States and met with both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. —

Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for culminate