summit

noun sum·mit \ ˈsə-mət \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: summit in a Sentence

Definition of summit

1 : top, apex; especially : the highest point : peak

2 : the topmost level attainable

the summit of human fame

3 a : the highest level of officials; especially : the diplomatic level of heads of government

b : a conference of highest-level officials (such as heads of government)

an economic summit

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Examples of summit in a Sentence

The mountain range has summits over 10,000 feet high.
The climbers failed to reach the summit.
Leaders of several nations attended the economic summit.
A summit on global warming was held that year.

Recent Examples of summit from the Web

But a fourth-place finish behind TSG Hoffenheim and local rivals Schalke 04, as well as league champions Bayern Munich, has left fans desperate to see their club revamped this summer in order to return to the summit of the Bundesliga table.

— SI.com, "German Playmaker Claims Dortmund Were Bayern Munich's 'Equals' Under Jurgen Klopp," 9 June 2018
Larry Kudlow, President Trump’s economic advisor, insisted to reporters earlier this week that the president was looking forward to the annual G-7 summit despite tensions over trade.

— david lauter, latimes.com, "Singapore-bound, but first, a fight with U.S. allies over trade," 8 June 2018
South Korea's government has been careful to avoid rash comments or hasty interpretations of the seesaw developments in the lead-up to the summit in Singapore.

— jung-yoon kim, Fox News, "In South Korea, hope and doubt ahead of Trump-Kim summit," 7 June 2018
To continue to the summit of Keb from the mountain station, expect a 10-to-14-hour day.

— Outside Online, "A Trekker’s Guide to Sweden," 7 June 2018
Domestic pressure on Kim to focus on the economy may be driving him to the summit with Mr. Trump.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Why North Korea may be primed for a deal," 6 June 2018
The unusual public role has given Kim, who was raised in South Korea, extraordinary influence over the administration’s approach to the summit and the North Korean nuclear threat more broadly.

— nick wadhams, Bloomberg.com, "Mystery CIA Officer Thrust Into Spotlight as Korea Summit Looms," 6 June 2018
But Clinton ultimately rejected Kim's invitation to a summit in Pyongyang.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Has North Korea already trumped the U.S. in the propaganda war?," 2 June 2018
One recent example was its support for a three-way leaders’ summit with Japan and South Korea.

— The Economist, "A threatened trade war between China and America may be on hold," 24 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of summit

Middle English somete, from Anglo-French sumet, diminutive of sum top, from Latin summum, neuter of summus highest — more at sum

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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summit Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of summit

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable.

- at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

- an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

- the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

- the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

- the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

- a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

- the culmination of years of effort

summit

verb

Definition of summit

summited; summiting; summits

intransitive verb

1 : to participate in a summit conference

2 : to climb to the summit

summited on May 29

Recent Examples of summit from the Web

The man appears to have fallen while summiting the south side of the mountain.

— jamie hale, OregonLive.com, "Winds, snow complicating recovery of dead climber on Mount Adams," 29 May 2018
Since losing his vision at age 13, Erik Weihenmayer has summited Mount Everest, white-water rafted and climbed frozen waterfalls.

— chris kornelis, WSJ, "AI Tools Help the Blind Tackle Everyday Tasks," 28 May 2018
With this season’s Everest summit, Kami Rita has summited 8,000-meter peaks a total of 33 times, including ascents of Cho Oyu (eight summits), K2, Manaslu, and Lhotse.

— anna callaghan, Outside Online, "Kami Rita Summits Everest for 22nd Time," 16 May 2018
Each of the 8 rooms has its private dedicated guide, driver, and Jeep to help guests schedule and realize sublime Atacama experiences—biking to the salty, turquoise Laguna Cejar, or attempting to summit the 19,423-foot Licancabur volcano.

— Town & Country, "These Are the 83 Top Hotels Around the World," 6 Oct. 2016
If successful, Marine Corps Sgt. Kirstie Ennis and Air Force Senior Airman Katelyn Sheehan will be part of the first all-female veteran team to summit the highest peak in North America.

— tracy maness, Houston Chronicle, "Marine killed in Vietnam walked in faith, service," 21 May 2018
The only other double amputee to have summited Everest was Mark Inglis from New Zealand in 2006 from the peak's Tibet side.

— author: gopal sharma, Anchorage Daily News, "Australian who climbed Denali in April sets Seven Summits record on Everest," 14 May 2018
New Zealander climber Mark Inglis was the first double amputee to ever summit Everest from the Tibet side in 2006.

— casey quackenbush, Time, "A 69-Year-Old Double Amputee Has Just Climbed Mount Everest," 14 May 2018
Recently, a friend challenged 50 (and a health concern) by summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro with his family and raising thousands of pledge dollars for charity.

— randall de s, Redbook, "What It Feels Like to Turn 50," 9 Dec. 2013

First Known Use of summit

1972

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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SUMMIT Defined for English Language Learners

summit

noun

Definition of summit for English Language Learners

: the highest point of a mountain : the top of a mountain
: the highest level
: a meeting or series of meetings between the leaders of two or more governments