culminate
[ kuhl-muh-neyt ]
/ ˈkʌl məˌneɪt /
verb (used without object), cul·mi·nat·ed, cul·mi·nat·ing.
to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually followed by in).
to end or arrive at a final stage (usually followed by in): The argument culminated in a fistfight.
to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually followed by in): The tower culminates in a tall spire.
Astronomy.
(of a celestial body) to be on the meridian, or reach the highest or the lowest altitude.
verb (used with object), cul·mi·nat·ed, cul·mi·nat·ing.
to bring to a close; complete; climax: A rock song culminates the performance.
Origin of culminate
1640–50; < Late Latin
culminātus (past participle of
culmināre to come to a peak), equivalent to Latin
culmin- (stem of
culmen) peak, top +
-ātus
-ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM culminate
non·cul·mi·nat·ing, adjectiveWords nearby culminate
culm,
culmen,
culmicolous,
culmiferous,
culminant,
culminate,
culmination,
culminative,
culo,
culottes,
culpa
Example sentences from the Web for culminate
British Dictionary definitions for culminate
culminate
/ (ˈkʌlmɪˌneɪt) /
verb
(when intr, usually foll by in)
to end or cause to end, esp to reach or bring to a final or climactic stage
(intr)
(of a celestial body) to cross the meridian of the observer
Word Origin for culminate
C17: from Late Latin
culmināre to reach the highest point, from Latin
culmen top