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 competition included several rookie teams that received support from the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, and the event served as a culmination of their first year. —P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026

The culmination of a transformation that has been underway for half a century. —Jonathan Grella, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

That premiere event was the culmination of AMC’s music-heavy marketing campaign meant to transition the show into its new form — and perhaps attract a few new fans along the way. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 June 2026

In a profound culmination of decades of grassroots advocacy, in 2023 the Blackfeet Nation released a herd of 48 buffalo near Chief Mountain, the first to roam freely on Blackfoot territory in over 150 years. —The Conversation, 4 June 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