Culmination
/ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe end or climax of something, especially after a long process or series of events.
/ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/
The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long process.
The concert was the culmination of the band's successful tour.
💡 Simply: Imagine you've been saving up for a big trip, working hard for a while. The culmination is when you finally get to go – the trip itself! That's the best part.
👶 For kids: It's like the very best part or the end of something special, like the top of a roller coaster.
More Examples
The project's culmination was a grand public presentation.
Graduation is the culmination of years of hard work in school.
How It's Used
"The culmination of years of research was the publication of the groundbreaking book."
"The story reached its culmination with the hero's final confrontation."
"The merger was the culmination of months of negotiation."
The act or process of reaching the highest point or the climax.
/ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/
The action of reaching the highest point, the apex of a process.
The telescope tracked the star's culmination across the sky.
💡 Simply: Imagine a rocket going to space. Culmination is the moment it reaches its highest altitude, where the rocket can no longer go higher.
👶 For kids: It's when something gets to its highest point!
More Examples
The culmination of the project was observed by the entire team.
The marathon runner reached the culmination of the race at the finish line.
How It's Used
"The culmination of the sun at noon marked the highest point of the day."
Idioms & expressions
the culmination of events
The final, decisive outcome resulting from a series of related occurrences or activities.
"The crisis was the culmination of events that had been brewing for years."
reach its culmination
To reach the highest point or the climax of a process or sequence.
"The political tensions finally reached their culmination with a series of public protests."
From Latin *culminatio* ("the top, summit"), from *culmen* ("summit"). It entered English in the 16th century, initially referring to the highest point reached by a celestial body.
The word has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe the highest point of celestial bodies. Its usage expanded to include the highest point of any process or event.
Memory tip
Think of a mountain peak (culmen). Culmination is reaching the top, the highest point.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: culmen