English vocabulary · C1
Culminate
/ˈkʌlməˌneɪt/ · v.
When a process culminates, it reaches its final and most important point after everything has built toward it.
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Example sentences
- Months of research culminated in a breakthrough.
- The festival culminates with a fireworks display.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- culmen — summit (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- PEAK — reach the highest point (Reach The Highest Point)
- CLIMAX — reach the most intense moment (Reach The Most Intense Moment)
- CONCLUDE — bring something to an end (Bring Something To An End)
Similar words
- peak
- climax
- conclude
- finish
- complete
Lesson notes
When a process culminates, it reaches its final and most important point after everything has built toward it.
Related: peak, climax, conclude. Use culminate when a long process reaches its final high point.
Months of research culminated in a breakthrough. The festival culminates with a fireworks display.
From Latin. Culmen means summit. Late Latin culminare became English culminate. A long climb reaches its summit when it culminates.