動詞 culminate:

1. end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage
   同義詞：climax
2. bring to a head or to the highest point
3. reach the highest or most decisive point
4. reach the highest altitude or the meridian, of a celestial body
5. rise to, or form, a summit

1. Everyone feared that the boundary dispute between these two countries would culminate in a war.
   人人都擔(dān)心，這兩國間的邊境爭端將以一場戰(zhàn)爭告終。
2. Her career culminated in her appointment as director.
   她一生事業(yè)的頂峰是當(dāng)上董事。
3. Their long struggle finally culminated in success.
   他們的長期斗爭終于取得了勝利。

cul.mi.nate

v.intr.（不及物動詞）
cul.mi.nat.ed,cul.mi.nat.ing,cul.mi.nates

To reach the highest point or degree; climax:
達到高潮：到達最高點或程度；達到高潮：
例句：
habitual antagonism that culminated in open hostility.
在公開敵對中達到高潮的習(xí)慣性對抗

To come to completion; end:
到達終點；告終：
例句：
Years of waiting culminated in a tearful reunion.
多年的等待最終以含淚團聚而結(jié)局

Astronomy To reach the highest point above an observer`s horizon. Used of stars and other celestial bodies.
【天文學(xué)】 中天：到達觀察者視域之外的最高點。用于指恒星和其它天體
v.tr.（及物動詞）
To bring to the point of greatest intensity or to completion; climax:
使到達高潮：使達到最極端或終點；使到達高潮：
例句：
The ceremony culminated a long week of preparation.
經(jīng)過長長一個星期的準備，典禮終于開始了

來源：
Late Latin culmin3re culmin3t-
后期拉丁語 culmin3re culmin3t-
from Latin culmen culmin- [summit] * see kel- 2
源自 拉丁語 culmen culmin- [頂點] *參見 kel- 2

【引伸】
cul.mina.tion
n.（名詞）