culminate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually followed byin ).
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to end or arrive at a final stage (usually followed byin ).
The argument culminated in a fistfight.
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to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually followed byin ).
The tower culminates in a tall spire.
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Astronomy. (of a celestial body) to be on the meridian, or reach the highest or the lowest altitude.
verb (used with object)
verb
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to end or cause to end, esp to reach or bring to a final or climactic stage
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(intr) (of a celestial body) to cross the meridian of the observer
Etymology
Origin of culminate
First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin culminātus (past participle of culmināre to come to a peak), equivalent to Latin culmin- (stem of culmen ) “peak, top” + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
How it all unraveled, culminating in FBI raids on the superintendent.
From Los Angeles Times
The film’s big ending — where Andie finds Blane alone and ashamed at prom and decides to take him back, culminating in their final kiss — wasn’t part of the final script.
From Salon
Kasper Schmeichel, 39, has been under intense scrutiny after a series of errors, culminating in last week's slack performance in the home defeat by Stuttgart.
From BBC
Throughout the term, each team completes 10 assignments together, culminating in a team-based final project.
With exhilarating charisma, stage energy and impassioned lyrics, Senegalese musician Sahad has created a unique body of work from a kaleidoscope of influences, culminating in his new pan-African album.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
