The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Culminate \Cul"mi*nate\ (k[u^]l"m[i^]*n[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p.
   p. Culminated (-n[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
   Culminating (-n[=a]`t[i^]ng.] [L. cuimen top or ridge. See
   Column.]
   1. To reach its highest point of altitude; to come to the
      meridian; to be vertical or directly overhead.
      [1913 Webster]

            As when his beams at noon
            Culminate from the equator.           --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To reach the highest point, as of rank, size, power,
      numbers, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

            The reptile race culminated in the secondary era.
                                                  --Dana.
      [1913 Webster]

            The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating.
                                                  --Motley.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Culminate \Cul"mi*nate\ (k[u^]l"m[i^]*n[asl]t), a.
   Growing upward, as distinguished from a lateral growth; --
   applied to the growth of corals. --Dana.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

culminate
    v 1: end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage; "The
         meeting culminated in a tearful embrace" [syn: culminate,
         climax]
    2: bring to a head or to the highest point; "Seurat culminated
       pointillism"
    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; "The helmet culminated in a
       crest"