From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclimaxcli‧max1 /ˈklaɪmæks/ ●○○ noun [countable usually singular] 1 ALEXCITEDthe most exciting or important part of a story or experience, which usually comes near the end → climacticclimax of the climax of his naval careerclimax to a thrilling climax to the game The festival reaches its climax with the traditional boat-burning ceremony.2 SYan orgasmCOLLOCATIONSverbsreach a climaxThe film reaches its climax in the final scene.come to a climaxThings came to a climax with a large protest march on June 30th.build up to a climaxThe music was getting louder and building up to a climax.near/approach a climaxOne of the most important trials in recent history is nearing its climax today.move towards a climaxPolitical tensions were moving towards a climax.bring something to a climaxHe scored again, bringing the game to a climax.mark the climax of something (=show that something has reached its best point)This painting marked the climax of his career.a climax comesThe climax came when the president ordered an air strike on the capital.adjectivesa thrilling/dramatic/exciting climaxIn this scene, the play reaches its dramatic climax.a fitting climax (=a very suitable one)The concert was a very successful occasion and a fitting climax to the school year.a grand climaxEveryone was hoping that the peace talks would come to a grand climax.a sensational/spectacular climaxThe match was a sensational climax to the season.
Examples from the Corpus
climax• The tabernacle represents the completion and climax of God's redemption of his people.• The opera reaches its climax with Violetta's death in the third act.• Eliot has been careful to avoid any sort of sentimental religiosity, and this strengthens greatly the play's climax.• A parade through the streets marks the climax of the festival.climax of• King's famous "I have a dream" speech was the climax of a 1963 civil rights march.climaxclimax2 verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]ALEXCITED if a situation, process, or story climaxes, it reaches its most important or exciting partclimax in/with a series of special events climaxing with a spectacular fireworks show2 [intransitive]SYSEX/HAVE SEX WITH to have an orgasm→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
climax• And both of course climaxed a return to form by winning their respective championships last season.• It had been a day of rare pleasure for Harry, climaxed by lunch with Heather at the villa.• Burt Reynolds was just right but, as he climaxed, he called out for his wife.• To that end it employed a mixture of bribery, smear and downright deceit, climaxing in a crescendo of scaremongering hysteria.• Then came June and the steep climb in the number of cases that climaxed in August or September.• The crescendo of firearms climaxed when a 20-year - old man accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend.climax in/with• To that end it employed a mixture of bribery, smear and downright deceit, climaxing in a crescendo of scaremongering hysteria.• Then came June and the steep climb in the number of cases that climaxed in August or September.Origin climax1 (1500-1600) Latin Greek klimax “ladder”, from klinein “to lean” 