What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
completion
Example
I am close to completion of my essay. [completion: noun]
Example
She completed the puzzle in record time. [completed: past tense verb]
culmination
Example
The concert was the culmination of months of preparation. [culmination: noun]
Example
The team's hard work culminated in a championship win. [culminated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Completion is more common than culmination in everyday language and is used in a wider range of contexts. Culmination is more formal and less frequently used, and often implies a longer and more complex process or series of events.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between completion and culmination?
Culmination is more formal than completion and is often used in academic or professional settings. Completion is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.