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

The program pairs mentors and students to develop short stories that will be performed on stage by actors at the culmination of each school’s program. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Over the years, Amazon has slowly added more functionality to its smart displays, and the Echo Show 16 feels like the culmination of those efforts. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 28 Oct. 2026

Students joined the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the culmination of years of planning, community engagement and construction that brought new recreational opportunities to the neighborhood. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Four years later he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the culmination of a career that spanned nearly five decades. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 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