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

For homeowners, the couple's guilty pleas marked the culmination of years of financial strain and emotional turmoil. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

In the recordings, Neves Valente described the attack as the culmination of long planning. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

This project represents the culmination of years of experimentation and learning how to share the sensory experience of the kelp forest with those who may never have the chance to encounter it firsthand. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

This period may bring culmination or clarity around career, ambition and long-term goals. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 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