culmination

noun

cul·​mi·​na·​tion ˌkəl-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the action of culminating

2

: culminating position : climax

the culmination of a brilliant career

the culmination of years of research

Synonyms

• pinnacle
• zenith
• top
• height
• peak
• climax
• apex

Choose the Right Synonym for culmination

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable.

summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

Examples of culmination in a Sentence

This study is the culmination of years of research.

an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Next year will mark the culmination of its Jubilee Year celebrations, and through January, the city will continue to host pilgrimage events, public art installations, and expanded museum programming. —AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025

Where to Eat Food in Argentina’s northwest is hearty, and a culmination of Andean and indigenous influences. —Carola Fresno, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025

The debut marked the culmination of a long road to the majors for Bernabel, whom the Rockies originally signed for $900,000 as an international free agent in 2018 out of the Dominican Republic. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025

His arrest marks the culmination of a nearly yearlong investigation that began in August 2024 when the victim’s mom filed a report with the Evanston Police Department, the sheriff said in a news conference. —Olivia Lloyd updated July 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see culminate

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for culmination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation