1. reached the highest or most intense point; came to a climax
Usage: past tense of culminate
2. ended or resulted in something as a final outcome
Usage: past tense of culminate; often followed by ‘in’

Examples

• The festival culminated in a spectacular fireworks display.
• Years of research culminated in the discovery of a new treatment.
• The tension between the two countries culminated in war.
• Her career culminated when she won the Nobel Prize.
• The hiking trail culminated at a beautiful mountain peak.
• The investigation culminated in several arrests.
• The ceremony culminated with the lighting of the Olympic torch.