To reach its highest point of altitude; to come to the meridian; to be vertical or directly overhead. [1913 Webster]
"As when his beams at noon
Culminate from the equator." [1913 Webster]
To reach the highest point, as of rank, size, power, numbers, etc. [1913 Webster]
"The reptile race culminated in the secondary era." [1913 Webster]

"The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating." [1913 Webster]

culminate, a.

Growing upward, as distinguished from a lateral growth; -- applied to the growth of corals. Dana. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

culminate, v.
1 intr. (usu. foll. by in) reach its highest or final point (the antagonism culminated in war).
2 tr. bring to its highest or final point.
3 intr. Astron. be on the meridian.

Derivative

culmination n.

Etymology

LL culminare culminat- f. culmen summit

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THESAURUS

culminate

button up, cap, carry to completion, clean up, climax, close out, close up, complete, conclude, consummate, crest, crown, develop, do to perfection, end, finalize, finish, finish off, finish up, frost, get done, get it over, get through, get through with, head, ice, improve, mature, mop up, outtop, overarch, overtop, peak, perfect, ripen, round out, surmount, terminate, tip, top, top off, top out, wind up, wrap up

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ROGET THESAURUS

culminate

Superiority

VB be superior, exceed, excel, transcend, outdo, outbalance, outweigh, outrank, outrival, out-Herod, pass, surpass, get ahead of, over-top, override, overpass, overbalance, overweigh, overmatch, top, o'ertop, cap, beat, cut out, beat hollow, outstrip, eclipse, throw into the shade, take the shine out of, outshine, put one's nose out of joint, have the upper hand, have the whip hand of, have the advantage, turn the scale, kick the beam, play first fiddle, preponderate, predominate, prevail, precede, take precedence, come first, come to a head, culminate, beat all others, bear the palm, break the record, take the cake, become larger, render larger.

Completion

VB effect, effectuate, accomplish, achieve, compass, consummate, hammer out, bring to maturity, bring to perfection, perfect, complete, elaborate, do, execute, make, go through, get through, work out, enact, bring about, bring to bear, bring to pass, bring through, bring to a head, despatch, dispatch, knock off, finish off, polish off, make short work of, dispose of, set at rest, perform, discharge, fulfill, realize, put in practice, put in force, carry out, carry into effect, carry into execution, make good, be as good as one's word, do thoroughly, not do by halves, go the whole hog, drive home, be in at the death, carry through, play out, exhaust, fill the bill, finish, bring to a close, wind up, stamp, clinch, seal, set the seal on, put the seal, give the final touch, to, put the last, put the finishing hand to, put the finishing touches on, crown, crown all, cap, ripen, culminate, come to a head, come to a crisis, come to its end, die a natural death, die of old age, run its course, run one's race, touch the goal, reach the goal, attain the goal, reach, get in the harvest.

Height

VB be high, tower, soar, command, hover, hover over, fly over, orbit, be in orbit, cap, culminate, overhang, hang over, impend, beetle, bestride, ride, mount, perch, surmount, cover, overtop, stand on tiptoe, become high, grow higher, grow taller, upgrow, rise, send into orbit, render high, heighten.

Summit

VB culminate, crown, top, overtop.

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