verb

culminate

Culminate (verb) means of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.

verb

Of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.

To reach the (physical or figurative) summit, highest point, peak etc.

To reach a climax; to come to a decisive point, especially an end or conclusion.

To reach a point at which continued progress is not possible.

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Etymology

First attested in 1647; borrowed from Medieval Latin culminātus, perfect passive participle of culminō (“to crown”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from Latin culmen (“peak, highest point”, oblique stem culmin-) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), older form columen (“top, summit”), from Proto-Italic *kolamen, from a Proto-Indo-European base *kol-, *kelH- (“to project, rise; peak, summit, top”), whence also English hill and holm.

Rhymes for culminate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of culminate?

"culminate" (verb) means of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.

What are the different meanings of culminate?

"culminate" has 3 main meanings: 1. Of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude; 2. To reach the (physical or figurative) summit, highest point, peak etc; 3. To reach a climax; to come to a decisive point, especially an end or conclusion.