Culminate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈkʌl.mɪ.neɪt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Culminate is a verb meaning (intransitive, astronomy) Of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.
Meaning
(intransitive, astronomy) Of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.
More Meanings
- (intransitive) To reach the (physical or figurative) summit, highest point, peak etc.
- (intransitive, figuratively) To reach a climax; to come to a decisive point, especially an end or conclusion.
- (US, military, of an offensive, etc) To reach a point at which continued progress is not possible.
- (transitive) To finalize, bring to a conclusion, form the climax of.
- (anatomy) Relating to the culmen.
- (biology) Growing upward, as opposed to lateral growth.
Example Sentences
The type of Cycads culminated in the Mesozoic
The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating.
The class will culminate with a rigorous examination.
Their messy breakup culminated in a restraining order.
Word Forms
- culminates
- culminating
- culminated
Synonyms for culminate
Depending on context, synonyms include peak, climax.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include climax, peak, come, complete, finalize, arrive.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.