climax

1 of 2

noun

cli·​max ˈklī-ˌmaks 

1

: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness

2

a

: the highest point : culmination

the climax of a distinguished career

b

: the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)

At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.

c

: orgasm

d

: menopause

3

: a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment

especially : the final stage in ecological succession

the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax

—P. W. Richards

climaxless adjective

climax

2 of 2

verb

climaxed; climaxing; climaxes

transitive verb

: to bring to a climax

climaxed his boxing career with a knockout

The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.

intransitive verb

: to come to a climax

a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses

The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.

Synonyms

Noun

• climacteric
• corner
• landmark
• milepost
• milestone
• turning point
• watershed

Verb

• cap (off)
• crown
• culminate

Choose the Right Synonym for climax

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable.

summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

Examples of climax in a Sentence

Noun

The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.

At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.

the climax of her career

The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.

Verb

The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.

The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kim stages any number of thrilling action sequences, with large-scale troop and armored vehicle movements that bring the drama to an exciting and stirring climax. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

The word for the fifth-act climax of risotto—the scene in which the butter (preferably cold, from the fridge) and the Parmesan are brought onstage and obliged to mingle with the other characters—is mantecatura. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

Hundreds might even be an underestimate in this handmade epic that climaxes with a giant mecha-beaver of actors in cheap animal costumes. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. —Alanna Durkin Richer, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing climax

• climatic climax
• edaphic climax
• selling climax

Kids Definition

climax

1 of 2 noun

cli·​max ˈklī-ˌmaks 

1

a

: the highest point

the storm had reached its climax

b

: the point of highest dramatic interest or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)

c

: orgasm

2

: a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially when it is the final one in a series of ecological stages or communities

climax

2 of 2 verb

: to come or bring to a climax

Etymology

Noun

from Latin climax "arrangement of words or phrases in increasing forcefulness," from Greek klimax "ladder," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climate, clinic

Medical Definition

climax

noun

cli·​max ˈklī-ˌmaks 

1

: the highest or most intense point

2

: orgasm

3

a

: menopause sense 1a(2)

b

: andropause