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

The kick was the culmination of a 15-play, 84-yard drive that answered Central Oklahoma’s go-ahead touchdown with 3 minutes, 25 seconds left in the game. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Colfax Mayor Caroline McCully said the opening represents the culmination of years of work and determination by people who believed in the project and the community. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Julien Puyou, Airbus’ Widebody Program head, stressed that the flight marked the culmination of years of engineering, testing, and assembly. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

The moment was something of a culmination for Highland junior tight end Lucas Hendrixson. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 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