a critical period or event

the first major climacteric in twentieth-century poetry

the period of life when fertility and sexual activity are in decline; (in women) menopause

most women do not experience significant psychological problems at the climacteric

the ripening period of certain fruits such as apples, involving increased metabolism and only possible while still on the tree

ripening accompanied by a sharp rise in respiration, the so-called climacteric

having extreme and far-reaching implications or results; critical

Britain must possess so climacteric a weapon in order to deter an atomically armed enemy

occurring at, characteristic of, or undergoing the climacteric; (in women) menopausal

every year adds new symptoms to climacteric syndrome

(of a fruit) undergoing a climacteric

it doesn't ripen off the tree, being a climacteric fruit