culminate

动词 culminate:

1. end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage
   同义词：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.
   人人都担心，这两国间的边境争端将以一场战争告终。
2. Her career culminated in her appointment as director.
   她一生事业的顶峰是当上董事。
3. Their long struggle finally culminated in success.
   他们的长期斗争终于取得了胜利。

cul.mi.nate

v.intr.（不及物动词）
cul.mi.nat.ed,cul.mi.nat.ing,cul.mi.nates

To reach the highest point or degree; climax:
达到高潮：到达最高点或程度；达到高潮：
例句：
habitual antagonism that culminated in open hostility.
在公开敌对中达到高潮的习惯性对抗

To come to completion; end:
到达终点；告终：
例句：
Years of waiting culminated in a tearful reunion.
多年的等待最终以含泪团聚而结局

Astronomy To reach the highest point above an observer`s horizon. Used of stars and other celestial bodies.
【天文学】 中天：到达观察者视域之外的最高点。用于指恒星和其它天体
v.tr.（及物动词）
To bring to the point of greatest intensity or to completion; climax:
使到达高潮：使达到最极端或终点；使到达高潮：
例句：
The ceremony culminated a long week of preparation.
经过长长一个星期的准备，典礼终于开始了

来源：
Late Latin culmin3re culmin3t-
后期拉丁语 culmin3re culmin3t-
from Latin culmen culmin- [summit] * see kel- 2
源自 拉丁语 culmen culmin- [顶点] *参见 kel- 2

【引伸】
cul.mina.tion
n.（名词）