top of the tree
noun phrase
British, informal
: the most powerful or most successful position in a profession, organization, etc.
Examples of top of the tree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His name sat at the top of the tree for 13 years.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep an eye out for dead branches, particularly at the top of the tree — beetles start high and work their way down to the trunk.
—Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2025
At the top of the tree, however, opt for one of four Carden Luxury Suites, overlooking the rolling estate gardens and Nicklaus championship golf course.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Chopping off the top of the tree every year will not produce more blooms.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
The top of the tree, which was forked, landed across the hood, photos show.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Forest Park asks residents to place the trees on the grass by the curb on the south side of the park's parking lot and to point the trunks toward the parking lot curb and the top of the tree pointing toward West Kemper Road.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
The top of the tree reaches up to the peak of Basilica of the Patron Sant’Ubaldo, crowned with a bright white shooting star.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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.
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Keep an eye out for dead branches, particularly at the top of the tree — beetles start high and work their way down to the trunk.
—Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2025
At the top of the tree, however, opt for one of four Carden Luxury Suites, overlooking the rolling estate gardens and Nicklaus championship golf course.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Chopping off the top of the tree every year will not produce more blooms.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
The top of the tree, which was forked, landed across the hood, photos show.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Forest Park asks residents to place the trees on the grass by the curb on the south side of the park's parking lot and to point the trunks toward the parking lot curb and the top of the tree pointing toward West Kemper Road.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
The top of the tree reaches up to the peak of Basilica of the Patron Sant’Ubaldo, crowned with a bright white shooting star.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Top of the tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20of%20the%20tree. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share