culminar

to culminate

verb kool-mee-NAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin culminare (to reach the summit), from culmen (peak).

Usage Note

Culminar is typically intransitive in Spanish and pairs with the preposition en to indicate the result (la negociación culminó en un acuerdo). It can also be used transitively with a direct object meaning 'to bring to a close' (culminar un proyecto). It is a formal register verb; everyday speech might use terminar or acabar instead.

Examples

"La ceremonia culminó con fuegos artificiales."

Natural Translation

The ceremony culminated with fireworks.

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