Main Entry:

¹sum·mit

Pronunciation:

\ˈsə-mət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English somete, from Anglo-French sumet, diminutive of sum top, from Latin summum, neuter of summus highest — more at sum

Date:

15th century

1: top, apex ; especially : the highest point : peak2: the topmost level attainable <the summit of human fame>3 a: the highest level of officials ; especially : the diplomatic level of heads of government b: a conference of highest-level officials (as heads of government) <an economic summit>

synonyms summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable <at the summit of the Victorian social scene>. peak suggests the highest among other high points <an artist working at the peak of her powers>. pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height <the pinnacle of worldly success>. climax implies the highest point in an ascending series <the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions>. apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge <the apex of Dutch culture>. acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing <a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty>. culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective <the culmination of years of effort>.