culmination
Noun
Medium difficulty
What does “culmination” mean?
noun.the highest or climactic point of something.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages that discuss achievements, climactic moments in narratives, or significant events in history. It emphasizes the peak or final result of a process, suggesting a sense of fulfillment or resolution, which distinguishes it from words like "beginning" or "initiation," that refer to starting points rather than high points.
Common Confusions
Culmination implies reaching the highest point of achievement or development, while inception usually suggests the beginning or initiation of a process rather than its peak.
Do not choose culmination if the context emphasizes a beginning or starting point rather than the highest or climactic point of something.
Example Sentences
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The concert was the culmination of six months of rehearsal.
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Graduation was the culmination of years of work.