climax

¹cli·max

noun \ˈklī-ˌmaks\

Definition of CLIMAX

1

: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness

2

a : the highest point : culmination <the climax of a distinguished career>

b : the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)

c : orgasm

d : menopause

3

: a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment; especially : the final stage in ecological succession

— cli·max·less adjective

Examples of CLIMAX

1. The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
2. At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
3. the climax of her career
4. The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.

Origin of CLIMAX

Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean

First Known Use: circa 1550

Related to CLIMAX

Synonyms

climacteric, turning point, corner, landmark, milepost, milestone, watershed

Antonyms

bottom, nadir, rock bottom

Related Words

break, capper, clincher, crusher, highlight, topper; conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, transformation, turnabout, turnaround; boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, zero hour

Near Antonyms

abyss, base, foot; minimum

See Synonym Discussion at summit

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with CLIMAX

addax, anthrax, banjax, beeswax, borax, broadax, coax, Colfax, death tax, earwax, flat tax, galax, hyrax, Lomax, lost wax, meat-ax, panchax, pickax, poleax, poll tax, relax, sales tax, sin tax, smilax, stamp tax, storax, styrax, surtax, syntax, thorax, toadflax

²climax

verb

Definition of CLIMAX

transitive verb

: to bring to a climax <climaxed his boxing career with a knockout>

intransitive verb

: to come to a climax <a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses>

Examples of CLIMAX

1. The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
2. The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.

First Known Use of CLIMAX

1835

Related to CLIMAX

Synonyms

cap (off), crown, culminate

Related Words

complete, conclude, finish, round (off or out), terminate, wrap up

cli·max

noun \ˈklī-ˌmaks\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CLIMAX

1

: the highest or most intense point

2

: orgasm

3

a : menopause 1a(2) b : andropause