climax

the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding; "the climax of the artist's career"; "in the flood tide of his success"

the decisive moment in a novel or play; "the deathbed scene is the climax of the play"

the moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse

the most severe stage of a disease

arrangement of clauses in ascending order of forcefulness

end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage; "The meeting culminated in a tearful embrace"