Definition of top
(Entry 1 of 5)
b(1) : the highest or uppermost region or part
(2) : the upper end, edge, or surface
2 : a fitted, integral, or attached part or unit serving as an upper piece, lid, or covering
3a(1) : the highest position (as in rank or achievement)
(2) : a person or thing at the top
b tops plural : aces and kings in a hand or the three highest honors in a suit
4a : the part that is nearest in space or time to the source or beginning
b : the first half of an inning in baseball
b : the loudest or highest range of a sound
7a : a platform surrounding the head of a lower mast that serves to spread the topmast rigging, strengthen the mast, and furnish a standing place for men aloft
b : a comparable part of the superstructure especially : such a part on a warship used as a fire-control station or antiaircraft gun platform
8 : a forward spin given to a ball (as in golf or billiards) by striking it on or near the top or above the center also : the stroke so given
9 : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 175 GeV also : the flavor characterizing this particle
off the top of one's head on top of on top of the world over the top
: in an impromptu manner
sat down and wrote the … story off the top of his head— Jerome Beatty, Jr.
1a : in control of
acted like a man on top of his job — Newsweek
b : informed about
tried to keep on top of new developments
2 : in sudden and unexpected proximity to
the deadline was on top of them
3 : in addition to
: in a position of eminent success, happiness, or fame
: beyond the bounds of what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate
top
adjectiveDefinition of top (Entry 2 of 5)
top
verbtopped; topping
Definition of top (Entry 3 of 5)
1a : to be or become higher than : overtop tops the previous record
c : to gain ascendancy over : dominate
2a : to cover with a top or on the top : provide, form, or serve as a top for
b : to supply with a decorative or protective finish or final touch
c : to resupply or refill to capacity
—usually used with offtopped off the tank
d : to complete the basic structure of (something, such as a high-rise building) by putting on a cap or uppermost section
—usually used with out or off
e : to bring to an end or climax
—usually used with offthe event was topped off with a relay race— Paula Rodenas
3 : to remove or cut the top of especially : to shorten or remove the top of (a plant) : pinch sense 1b
5 : to strike (a ball) above the center thereby imparting topspin
1 : to make an end, finish, or conclusion
2 : to reach a summit or crest
—usually used with off or out
top
noun (2)Definition of top (Entry 4 of 5)
: a commonly cylindrical or conoidal device that has a tapering point on which it is made to spin and that is used especially as a toy
top-
combining formvariants:
or topo-
Definition of top- (Entry 5 of 5)
1 : place : locality
topology toponymy
2 : topology
topoisomerase
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Time Traveler for top
The first known use of top was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century