noun
climax
KLEYE-maks
noun
1
The most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, event, or series of events.
"The movie's climax had the whole audience on the edge of their seats."
"Tensions built steadily toward a dramatic climax."
2
The peak of sexual excitement; an orgasm.
"The medical article discussed the physiology of climax."
verb
1
To reach or form the most intense or important point.
"The festival climaxed with a fireworks display over the harbor."
How to Use Climax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe peak or most intense moment of something — a story, an event, or sexual arousal.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach a climax
build to a climax
dramatic climax
Word Forms
climaxed past tense, climaxes plural, climaces plural, climaxes singular
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The movie's _____ had the whole audience on the edge of their seats.
Etymology
From Greek klimax, "ladder, staircase," used figuratively for a rhetorical build-up to a peak point.