absolute ceiling
noun
: the maximum height above sea level at which a particular airplane can maintain horizontal flight under standard air conditions
called also ceiling
Examples of absolute ceiling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rather than getting into the weeds, just know that the absolute ceiling for this desktop is a Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU, an RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of 6,000MHz RAM, and 4TB of SSD space for $7,299.99.
—
PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
The Bulls keep making the play-in tournament because that is the absolute ceiling of the roster assembled in 2021 — and Karnišovas refuses to do anything besides let his players compete to their ceiling.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
But the reality for the Sixers is that their absolute ceiling is getting the 10th spot, winning a pair of Play-In games on the road and garnering the eight seed, then setting a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
What is his absolute ceiling?
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023
With so many pitchers producing at such velocity, what is the absolute ceiling for pitching speed?
—Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023
But hanging with Desert Vista required the Tigers to play at their absolute ceiling.
—Theo MacKie, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2023
One of the plaintiffs’ lead lawyers, Harley Tropin, said the $100 million was the absolute ceiling for attorney fees and that the group was satisfied with whatever was awarded.
—Curt Anderson, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022
Nixon looked capable, but what’s his absolute ceiling this season?
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
The Bulls keep making the play-in tournament because that is the absolute ceiling of the roster assembled in 2021 — and Karnišovas refuses to do anything besides let his players compete to their ceiling.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
But the reality for the Sixers is that their absolute ceiling is getting the 10th spot, winning a pair of Play-In games on the road and garnering the eight seed, then setting a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
What is his absolute ceiling?
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023
With so many pitchers producing at such velocity, what is the absolute ceiling for pitching speed?
—Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023
But hanging with Desert Vista required the Tigers to play at their absolute ceiling.
—Theo MacKie, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2023
One of the plaintiffs’ lead lawyers, Harley Tropin, said the $100 million was the absolute ceiling for attorney fees and that the group was satisfied with whatever was awarded.
—Curt Anderson, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022
Nixon looked capable, but what’s his absolute ceiling this season?
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Absolute ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absolute%20ceiling. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share