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 of culmination

• 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

Hill said the changes to modular housing are the culmination of a 40-year effort. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026

The events of Sunday night — dominance on defense, big-time blocks and timely runs — were not the culmination of a Seahawks team outperforming a Las Vegas win total projection, proving pundits wrong and overcoming any odds. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

It’s owned by longtime local residents Milan Lint and Mitch Berlin, and is the culmination of a years-long renovation shaped by decades of their travels through Europe’s intimate country inns. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026

For Billy Brooks, a former biologist and wood stork recovery lead with the service who retired in 2025, the decision is the culmination of decades of successful collaboration. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

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