Music .

a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.

a musical passage characterized by such an increase.

the performance of a crescendo passage

The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.

a steady increase in force or intensity

The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops.

the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak

The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo.

gradually increasing in force, volume, or loudness ( opposed to decrescendo or diminuendo ).

to grow in force or loudness.

noun

apex , ascension , building , climb , crest , critical mass , culmination , elevation , escalation , intensification , peak , pinnacle , rise , summit , surge , upsurge , zenith