GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Culminate , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Culminated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Culminating (-nā`tĭng.] [L. cuimen top or ridge. See Column.]
    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.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   To reach the highest point, as of rank, size, power, numbers, etc.
   1913 Webster
   The reptile race culminated in the secondary era.
   Dana.
   
   1913 Webster
   The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating.
   Motley.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Culminate , a. Growing upward, as distinguished from a lateral growth; -- applied to the growth of corals.
   Dana.
   
   1913 Webster