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 animal establishment added that the birth was the culmination of an 18-year project part of international conservation efforts for the species. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025

The heavy lift was the culmination of a two-week bilateral exercise between US Navy and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy divers, which focused on reinforcing teamwork and interoperability. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

Fairchild and the Hong Kong Fashion Council will celebrate the culmination of the style-heavy week with the inaugural WWD Fashion Loves Culture Gala. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Grand Championships represents the culmination of months of preparation, hundreds of miles traveled, and money spent. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 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