culminate

cul·mi·nate

1. a. To reach the highest point or degree; climax: habitual antagonism that culminated in open hostility.
   b. To come to completion; end: Years of waiting culminated in a tearful reunion.
2. Astronomy To reach the highest point above an observer's horizon. Used of stars and other celestial bodies.

Origin: Late Latin culmināre, culmināt-, from Latin culmen, culmin-, summit; see kel-² in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

• culmination culˌmi·naˈtion noun