summit

¹sum·mit

noun \ˈsə-mət\

Definition of SUMMIT

1

: top, apex; especially : the highest point : peak

2

: 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>

Examples of SUMMIT

1. The mountain range has summits over 10,000 feet high.
2. The climbers failed to reach the summit.
3. Leaders of several nations attended the economic summit.
4. A summit on global warming was held that year.

Origin of SUMMIT

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SUMMIT

Synonyms: acme, apex, apogee, capstone, climax, crescendo, crest, crown, culmination, head, high noon, high tide, high-water mark, meridian, ne plus ultra, noon, noontime, peak, pinnacle, sum, height, tip-top, top, zenith

Antonyms: bottom, nadir, rock bottom

Related Words: bloom, blossom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, prime; cap, ceiling, roof; extreme, extremity, tip, vertex; high, highlight, highspot

Near Antonyms: abyss, base, foot; minimum

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Synonym Discussion of SUMMIT

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>.

Rhymes with SUMMIT

plummet