Meaning of culminate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkəlməˌneɪt/

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  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 »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. bring to a head or to the highest point

    Examples

    • « Seurat culminated pointillism »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. reach the highest or most decisive point

    Derived terms

  4. 4. of a celestial body: reach its highest altitude or the meridian

    Derived terms

  5. 5. rise to, or form, a summit

    Examples

    • « The helmet culminated in a crest »

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