How to pronounce culmination
Say it like kuhl-muh-NAY-shun. Culmination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce culmination. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuhl
- muh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Culmination pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of culmination
American and British speakers say culmination in essentially the same way: /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuhl-mih-NAY-shun.
What does culmination mean?
- The attainment of the highest point of altitude reached by a heavenly body; passage across the meridian; transit.
- 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.
- An attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power, etc.
Where does culmination come from?
Borrowed from French culmination, from culminer, or from Medieval Latin culminatus + -tion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with culmination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of culmination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying culmination
How do you pronounce culmination?
Say kuhl-muh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in culmination?
Culmination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: kuhl · muh · NAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say culmination the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.