atop

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈtäp 

: on, to, or at the top

atop

2 of 2

preposition

: 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

Another all-natural way to kill ants is by using boiling water—a large pot of boiling water can be slowly poured atop an ant mount to get rid of the ants within. — Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 5 June 2026

Instead of bearing fishing poles, most have Soviet-era heavy machine guns bolted to their bows with a small rocket launcher atop. — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

Preposition

Framed up perfectly outside of van’s back window is the 12-foot tall, 700-pound inflatable lobster that sits atop Taste of Maine Restaurant about 35 miles up the coast from Portland. — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Both areas have deep sediment soil that sit atop alluvial valleys. — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1638, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for atop

• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop
• laptop

Kids Definition

atop

preposition

ə-ˈtäp

: on top of