noun

consummation

kahn-suh-MAY-shun/ˌkɑːnsəˈmeɪʃn/

The full completion of something.

Placing the final keystone marks the consummation of the builders' work on the arch.

Two builders place final keystone into completed miniature stone arch and share satisfied look, planned project visibly fulfilled; safe small-scale construction on white.

Etymology

conLatintogether

+summLatinsum, total

+ationLatinaction or process

The pieces evoke bringing things together into a total. Latin consummare meant both “sum up” and “finish,” connecting the completed whole with the fulfillment of a plan or desire.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain256:27

the animation and hope of the pursuer had been Gathering fresh and increasing strength from his successes and were excited to Wild enthusiasm now as the hour for his final consummation of all his desires seemed to be drawing nigh

Alexander the Great Biography (Audiobook)

More examples

The award represents the consummation of her lifelong ambition.
The contract sets a deadline for the consummation of the sale.
The novel ends with the consummation of their marriage.

Forms

consummation · consummations

consummate verb — To bring something to full completion.

Similar words

completion: Completion simply means finishing; consummation often suggests final fulfillment.
fulfillment: Fulfillment emphasizes satisfying a hope or purpose, not merely finishing.
culmination: Culmination marks a high point that need not complete something.