/kul"meuh nayt'/ , v. , culminated, culminating .
v.i.
1. to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually fol. by in ).
2. to end or arrive at a final stage (usually fol. by in ): The argument culminated in a fistfight.
3. to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually fol. by in ): The tower culminates in a tall spire.
4. Astron. (of a celestial body) to be on the meridian, or reach the highest or the lowest altitude.
v.t.
5. to bring to a close; complete; climax: A rock song culminates the performance.
[ 1640-50; culminatus (ptp. of culminare to come to a peak), equiv. to L culmin- (s. of culmen ) peak, top + -atus -ATE 1 ]