zenith

ze·nith

noun
\ˈzē-nəth, Canada also & British usually ˈze-nəth, -nith\

Definition of ZENITH

1

: the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the nadir and vertically above the observer — see azimuth illustration

2

: the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body

3

: culminating point : acme <at the zenith of his powers — John Buchan>

Examples of ZENITH

1. <at the zenith of her career as a dancer>

Origin of ZENITH

Middle English cenyth, senyth, from Middle French cenit, from Medieval Latin, from Old Spanish zenit, modification of Arabic samt (al-ra's) way (over one's head)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ZENITH

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, summit, tip-top, top, height

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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Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax