culmination

Meanings

1. The attainment of the highest point of altitude reached by a heavenly body; passage across the meridian; transit.
2. An endpoint arrived at after some series of actions or events, or some period, usually after the series or period has ended. The sum of something.
3. An attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power, etc.
4. A ceremony marking the completion of studies at an elementary school, middle school or junior high school.

Etymology

Borrowed from French culmination, from culminer, or from Medieval Latin culminatus + -tion. Morphologically culminate + -ion.