culmination

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "culmination" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe the point in time where something reaches its highest or most intense level. For example, "The party was the culmination of a week of festivities".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Spain's case, our adherence to what was then the European Community was the culmination of a yearning by successive generations cut off from the possibility of joining the broader current of peace, democracy and progress that was flowing north of the Pyrenean border.

The Guardian

This summer, the UK played host to its biggest arts jamboree ever, a dizzying 12-week festival that served as the culmination of a four-year Cultural Olympiad.

The Guardian

For Carlos Bilardo, the Argentina manager, the moment was a culmination of three and a half years' patient rebuilding of their squad in which his prime task was to marry the outstanding talents of Maradona with the newer players coming through.

The Guardian - Sport

The Queen's visit to Croke Park may have been planned only in recent months, but it is the culmination of a process that has been under way for more than a decade within the GAA.

The Guardian

Listen to Settle on Spotify here Earlier this year, we rounded up a series of faces we thought represented a new wave of UK dance: Disclosure rubbed shoulders with Rudimental, A*M*E, MNEK and Duke Dumont as part of a mini-scene producing what Guardian writer Alex Macpherson called "the perfect present-day culmination of past club trends".

The Guardian - Music

More than 120 embroidered napkins have been presented to Brunelcare's Saffron Gardens dementia care home at the culmination of the Napkin Project, which has involved generations of families sharing their sewing skills, workplace colleagues spending lunch breaks stitching, and a whole host of others using their creativity to help people with dementia.

The Guardian

On the one hand, this is the point they have yearned for, the culmination of all those miles on foot, all those thousands of dollars they cannot afford.

The Guardian

Related: 'Bladder diplomacy' at Iran talks: other negotiations that tested leaders' stamina The talks – the culmination of a 12-year process – became hung up on the issues of Iran's nuclear centrifuge research, details on the lifting of UN sanctions, and how they would be re-imposed if Iran breached the agreement.

The Guardian

French style is the culmination of those three words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The comprehensive Iran-IAEA agreement was the culmination of Tehran's promise in June to come up with a plan within two months to allow more access to IAEA inspectors to its nuclear facilities and provide answers to the outstanding questions regarding its nuclear programme.

The Guardian - Opinion

Richardson said she applied for the Oxford post as the culmination of a lifetime's ambition, and paid tribute to the university's international preeminence and successful fundraising campaigns.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "culmination" when you want to emphasize that something is the final result of a long process or series of events. It adds a sense of importance and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "culmination" when you mean the beginning or start of something. "Culmination" signifies the end, not the beginning. The word "initiation" would be more appropriate for describing the start.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "culmination" is as a noun. It refers to the final or highest point of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "culmination" is a noun that signifies the end or final result of a process, event, or series of actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in written English. It is frequently used in contexts such as "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science", reflecting its versatility across different registers. To prevent misuse, remember that "culmination" refers to the end, not the beginning. Related terms include "apex", "climax", and "conclusion", each offering slightly different nuances. Using "culmination" effectively can add a sense of finality and importance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

culminating point

A more descriptive way to indicate the final stage.

conclusion

Emphasizes the end or final result of a process.

climax

Emphasizes the most intense or exciting point.

peak

Suggests the highest level of achievement or activity.

completion

Focuses on the act of finishing something.

apex

Focuses on the highest point or peak reached.

end result

Stresses the final outcome or consequence.

zenith

Highlights the point of greatest success or power.

ultimate achievement

Highlights the sense of accomplishment and finality.

finale

Refers to the concluding part of a performance or event.

FAQs

How to use "culmination" in a sentence?

Use "culmination" to describe the final or highest point of a process or event. For example, "The awards ceremony was the culmination of a year's hard work".

What can I say instead of "culmination"?

You can use alternatives like "apex", "climax", or "conclusion" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "culmination" and "climax"?

"Culmination" refers to the final result or end point, while "climax" often refers to the most intense or exciting part of an event or story. The nuance is in the intensity.

Is it correct to say "the culmination of the beginning"?

No, it is not correct. "Culmination" implies the end. You can say "the beginning" or "the initiation", but not "the culmination of the beginning".