1. (

• culminate ,
• climax

) end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage; "The meeting culminated in a tearful embrace" ;

2. (

• culminate ,

) bring to a head or to the highest point; "Seurat culminated pointillism" ;

3. (

• culminate

) reach the highest or most decisive point ;

4. (

• culminate

) reach the highest altitude or the meridian, of a celestial body ;

5. (

• culminate ,

) rise to, or form, a summit; "The helmet culminated in a crest" ;