climax

 
Pronunciation: /ˈklʌɪmaks/

noun

  • the most intense, exciting, or important point of something; the culmination: she was nearing the climax of her speech a thrilling climax to the game
  • an orgasm.
  • Ecology the final stage in a succession in a given environment, at which a plant community reaches a state of equilibrium: [as modifier]: near the equator the tropical rainforest is the climax vegetation a mixed hardwood climax forest
  • Rhetoric a sequence of propositions or ideas in order of increasing importance, force, or effectiveness of expression.

verb

[no object]
  • culminate in an exciting or impressive event; reach a climax: the day climaxed with a gala concert
  • [with object] bring (something) to a climax: three goals in the last two minutes climaxed a thrilling game
  • have an orgasm.

Origin:

mid 16th century (in rhetoric): from late Latin, from Greek klimax 'ladder, climax'. The sense 'culmination' arose in the late 18th century