atop

adverb or adjective

\ ə-ˈtäp

How to pronounce atop (audio)

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Definition of atop

(Entry 1 of 2)

: on, to, or at the top

atop

preposition

Definition of atop (Entry 2 of 2)

: on top of

Examples of atop in a Sentence

Preposition

The house sits atop a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb or adjective

Until November 21st, use the offer code VERGE25 at checkout to take 25 percent off of your purchase, which stacks atop of 1More’s current promotion for even more savings. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "Save 25 percent on headphones from 1More," 8 Nov. 2018 Country star Jason Aldean is set to bow atop next week’s Billboard 200 chart with his latest album, Rearview Town, according to industry forecasters. — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, "Jason Aldean's 'Rearview Town' Aiming for No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart," 17 Apr. 2018 The house of cards that Desna sits atop is going to crumble, but who will come out victorious as the top boss? — Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, "‘Claws’ Episode 5 recap: 5 things to know about ‘Vaginalologist’ and the good doctor’s betrayal," 9 July 2018 Further, aluminum makers must pay a mysterious fee atop all U.S. orders: the Midwest Premium, which is said to cover the cost of transporting, storing and delivering the metal. — Pete Coors, WSJ, "In a Trade War, It’s Hard to Get a Head," 14 May 2018 Even the visual aspect of the show was scaled way back, kept to four small banks of stage lights set behind the players and a small silvery platform that all the musicians stood atop. — Robert Ham, Billboard, "Haim Brings Charm and Enthusiasm to Sister Sister Sister Tour Opener in Portland," 4 Apr. 2018 The hip-hop artist's second studio effort, ?, could debut atop next week's list with over 115,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending March 22. — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, "XXXTentacion's '?' Aiming for No. 1 Debut on Billboard 200 Albums Chart," 19 Mar. 2018 For a delightful hors d'oeuvre, combine chopped cherry tomatoes with fresh tarragon and slivers of Parmesan cheese; spoon atop thick rectangles of country bread and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. — Country Living, "How to Grow Tomatoes from Seeds," 5 Mar. 2018 Victoria’s Secret for underthings, and American Eagle for what goes atop. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "When Malls Saved the Suburbs From Despair," 17 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

But, having appeared in the epic music video to the song last year alongside Queen B, Serena is soon revealed from behind the wall, arriving onto the stage completely unannounced and standing atop of a bus. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Serena Williams Made a Surprise Beyoncé Cameo on 'Lip Sync Battle' With Brooklyn Decker," 29 Jan. 2019 An al Shabaab fighter stands atop a defensive barrier at Combat Outpost Conrad on July 23, 2018. — Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, "America’s Other Endless War: Battling al-Shabaab in Somalia," 17 Jan. 2019 At Tuesday’s handover ceremony at a Philippine air force base, the bronze bells stood atop a red platform like silent symbols of a bygone era of hostilities, as American and Philippine flags flapped in the wind. — Jim Gomez, The Seattle Times, "US returns 3 disputed bells taken from Philippines in 1901," 11 Dec. 2018 Virtual reality allows someone to safely confront a fearful situation, like a war setting for a veteran, or standing atop a dangerously tall building for someone afraid of heights, McGrath said. — Kate Thayer, chicagotribune.com, "Virtual reality can help people overcome fear of heights, study shows," 12 July 2018 Whoever has a block of their color atop a building when someone completes it with a roof tile scores points at the end of the game. — Owen Duffy, Ars Technica, "Essen 2018: The best board games from the biggest board game con," 3 Nov. 2018 Two charming angels, poised as if ready to dance, are lifting the folds of a tent to reveal the standing Virgin, a country girl with an impassive, even haughty air, her golden hair braided tightly and wrapped atop her head. — Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, "On the Brink of the Savior’s Arrival," 12 Oct. 2018 Many of the levels are based around LA landmarks, most notably a coffee shop that boasts a giant donut atop its building, a clear analog for the iconic Randy’s Donuts. — Laura Hudson, The Verge, "Donut County is a game about swallowing Los Angeles and realizing you’re an asshole," 1 Sep. 2018 On first glance, the most noticeable thing about Chang might be her haircut: shaved down at the sides, her long black hair wrapped in a loose bun balanced atop her head. — Anne Branigin, The Root, "Sophia Chang Ain’t Nothing to Fuck Wit’," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near atop

at/on someone's suggestion

Statistics for atop

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Time Traveler for atop

The first known use of atop was in 1638

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More Definitions for atop

atop

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of atop

chiefly US, somewhat old-fashioned + literary : on top of

See the full definition for atop in the English Language Learners Dictionary

atop

preposition

\ ə-ˈtäp

\

Kids Definition of atop

: on top of The castle sits atop a cliff.

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propitious

likely to have or produce good results

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