vertex

noun

ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks 

plural vertices ˈvər-tə-ˌsēz  also vertexes

1

: the top of the head

2

a

: the point opposite to and farthest from the base in a figure

b

: a point (as of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network) that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection of two or more lines or curves

c

: a point where an axis of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the curve itself

3

: a principal or highest point : summit

the vertex of the hill

Examples of vertex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the rule is vertices of the same color are not joined by an edge. —Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2025

The crystal bases allowed complex, seemingly impossible calculations to be replaced with much simpler graphs of vertices connected by lines. —Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Simply look for the maximum number of lines (or edges) connected to a single point (or vertex), and add 1. —Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 12 May 2025

At the bottom vertex, the slope abruptly changes directions. —Solomon Adams, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, top of the head, from Latin vertic-, vertex, vortic-, vortex whirl, whirlpool, top of the head, summit, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vertex

• annex
• annexe
• apex
• aztecs
• carex
• codecs
• codex
• convex
• cusecs
• duplex
• execs
• fedex

Kids Definition

vertex

noun

ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks 

plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz  also vertexes

1

: the point of a figure that is opposite to and farthest from its base

the vertex of a triangle

2

: the point where the two sides of an angle meet or where three or more edges of a polyhedron (as a cube) meet

Medical Definition

vertex

noun

ver·​tex ˈvər-ˌteks 

plural vertices ˈvərt-ə-ˌsēz  also vertexes

1

: the top of the head

2

: the highest point of the skull