Meaning of culminate in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈkəlməˌneɪt/

   US accent

   How to pronounce culminate in American English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

   UK accent

   How to pronounce culminate in British English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

1. Verb

   culminate

   Etymology

   mid 17th century (in astronomy and astrology): from late Latin culminat-‘exalted’, from the verb culminare, from culmen‘summit’

   Definitions

   1. end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage

   Examples

   • « The meeting culminated in a tearful embrace »
2. 2. bring to a head or to the highest point

   Examples

   • « Seurat culminated pointillism »
3. 3. reach the highest or most decisive point
4. 4. of a celestial body: reach its highest altitude or the meridian
5. 5. rise to, or form, a summit

   Examples

   • « The helmet culminated in a crest »