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

This latest development marks the culmination of a year of attempts at safeguarding the LuisaViaRoma business. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Goalkeeper-wise, Manchester City’s Trafford, who Newcastle have twice tried to sign, remains the primary target, and movement may now be possible following the culmination of the World Cup. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026

The degree represents completion – the culmination of four (often five) years of study and, for many graduates, the end of their formal relationship with the university. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

For now, the stars of the series see Louis and Lestat’s reunion as definitive, a culmination of all the tumult required to get to a place where Louis can declare his love and Lestat can accept it. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 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