1
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
3
a(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
4
a
: the part that is nearest in space or time to the source or beginning
b
: the first half of an inning in baseball
5
7
a
: 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
topped; topping
1
2
a
: 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 off
topped 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 off
the event was topped off with a relay race—
Paula Rodenas
Paula Rodenas3
: 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
: 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
variants
or topo-
1
: place : locality
topology
toponymy
2
: topology
topoisomerase
Phrases
off the top of one's head
: in an impromptu manner
sat down and wrote the … story off the top of his head—Jerome Beatty, Jr.
Jerome Beatty, Jr.1
a
: in control of
acted like a man on top of his job—Newsweek
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
Synonyms
Examples of top in a Sentence
Adjective
They live on the top floor of the building.
the top news story of the day
the country's top three car manufacturers
He is among the top pitchers of the league.
Safety is our top concern.
The winner showed top form.
Houses are selling at top prices.
What is the car's top speed?
Verb
Donations are expected to top $1,000,000 by the end of the month.
The song has topped the charts for seven weeks.
They topped the other company's offer.
She tops everyone else on the team.
I've seen some pretty weird things in my life—but that tops everything!
See More
Recent Examples on the WebPorter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
At the top of our list right now: the KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, a Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven, a Ring Doorbell Plus, and this rustic barn door TV stand.
—Allison Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2023
Pipe Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream onto each bar, and top with banana rounds and wafers.
—John Somerall, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
In late October, Swift added a bit of warmth to her chilly New York look by pairing a buttery leather Madewell blazer with a black top and brown corduroy miniskirt.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
The zippers on this bag are designed to accommodate TSA-friendly locks to add an extra layer of protection against theft, and the suitcase is fitted with top and bottom carry handles to easily lift onto the luggage belt.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023
According to court documents in San Diego federal court, similar groups operating locally have installed card skimmers, usually known as overlay skimmers, by installing a counterfeit faceplate over the top of a legitimate card reader.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2023
Overall, low-sodium diets led to a reduction in systolic blood pressure (the top, or first number), compared to participants’ usual and high-sodium diets.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 23 Nov. 2023
That kept Jason and Daniella at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 43 and moved Harry and Rylee to the bottom with a 30.
Results
Once voting closed, Alfonso shared that Tuesday's episode received more votes than any other night this season.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Phillips has built out a campaign team that included top strategists who worked on the presidential campaigns of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Andrew Yang.
—Azi Paybarah The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2023
Amazon This power bank is our top upgrade pick in our guide to the Best Portable Chargers.
—Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
The Aztecs have already faced three opponents in the top 75 of the Kenpom metric (BYU, Saint Mary’s, Washington), plus a Long Beach State team that has road wins at DePaul and Michigan.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
These include top picks across skin, makeup, and hair essentials.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023
Western diplomatic efforts will now feature a high-profile ex-leader, with former British Prime Minister David Cameron named the U.K.'s top diplomat.
—NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
In the current case, one mystery is why Adams decided to appoint a recent college graduate to a top fund-raising position.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023
Notably, Ghana placed among the top 25 places of origin for the first time in Open Doors history.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Nicole Pajer, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Insured damages from the storms had never before topped $50 billion.
—Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
GasBuddy data shows that gas prices actually rose by as much as roughly 60 cents from January to August 2023, topping $3.80 a gallon.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 23 Nov. 2023
Tracking had Wish, an original story with no affiliated IP, topping the Thanksgiving chart with a five-day feast of $45 million to $50 million, but those predictions appear to have been too bullish.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2023
Of those, all but one reached the top 10 in the U.K., and two of them topped the survey.
See the full list of dates and ticket info here.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2023
The nut-paste filling, at once crumbly and creamy, is enriched with seams of shredded dates and topped by a pockmarked surface of shattered walnuts.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
To top it off, the Switchblade can accommodate two people, plus luggage.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
For this iconic dish, often cited as a staple in blogs about local food, rice is slowly simmered in a stock made with fish scraps and topped with fish filets cooked with butter and sage.
—Vittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
Jil Sander bamboo bangle Everyday bracelets are hard to come by, but Jil Sander’s faux bamboo bangle is at the top of our lists.
—Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
At the top of our list right now: the KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, a Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven, a Ring Doorbell Plus, and this rustic barn door TV stand.
—Allison Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2023
Pipe Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream onto each bar, and top with banana rounds and wafers.
—John Somerall, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
In late October, Swift added a bit of warmth to her chilly New York look by pairing a buttery leather Madewell blazer with a black top and brown corduroy miniskirt.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
The zippers on this bag are designed to accommodate TSA-friendly locks to add an extra layer of protection against theft, and the suitcase is fitted with top and bottom carry handles to easily lift onto the luggage belt.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023
According to court documents in San Diego federal court, similar groups operating locally have installed card skimmers, usually known as overlay skimmers, by installing a counterfeit faceplate over the top of a legitimate card reader.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2023
Overall, low-sodium diets led to a reduction in systolic blood pressure (the top, or first number), compared to participants’ usual and high-sodium diets.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 23 Nov. 2023
That kept Jason and Daniella at the top of the leaderboard with a score of 43 and moved Harry and Rylee to the bottom with a 30.
Results
Once voting closed, Alfonso shared that Tuesday's episode received more votes than any other night this season.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Adjective
Hamas has not commented directly on the offer but its top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, said his group was committed to making the truce work.
—Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Phillips has built out a campaign team that included top strategists who worked on the presidential campaigns of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Andrew Yang.
—Azi Paybarah The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2023
Amazon This power bank is our top upgrade pick in our guide to the Best Portable Chargers.
—Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
The Aztecs have already faced three opponents in the top 75 of the Kenpom metric (BYU, Saint Mary’s, Washington), plus a Long Beach State team that has road wins at DePaul and Michigan.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
These include top picks across skin, makeup, and hair essentials.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023
Western diplomatic efforts will now feature a high-profile ex-leader, with former British Prime Minister David Cameron named the U.K.'s top diplomat.
—NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
In the current case, one mystery is why Adams decided to appoint a recent college graduate to a top fund-raising position.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023
Notably, Ghana placed among the top 25 places of origin for the first time in Open Doors history.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Verb
Her go-to is a holiday sangria loaded with fruits, cinnamon sticks and topped with a good brandy.
—Nicole Pajer, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Insured damages from the storms had never before topped $50 billion.
—Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
GasBuddy data shows that gas prices actually rose by as much as roughly 60 cents from January to August 2023, topping $3.80 a gallon.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 23 Nov. 2023
Tracking had Wish, an original story with no affiliated IP, topping the Thanksgiving chart with a five-day feast of $45 million to $50 million, but those predictions appear to have been too bullish.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2023
Of those, all but one reached the top 10 in the U.K., and two of them topped the survey.
See the full list of dates and ticket info here.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2023
The nut-paste filling, at once crumbly and creamy, is enriched with seams of shredded dates and topped by a pockmarked surface of shattered walnuts.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
To top it off, the Switchblade can accommodate two people, plus luggage.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
For this iconic dish, often cited as a staple in blogs about local food, rice is slowly simmered in a stock made with fish scraps and topped with fish filets cooked with butter and sage.
—Vittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'top.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zopf tip, tuft of hair
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English
Combining form
Greek, from topos
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Adjective
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of top was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing top
Dictionary Entries Near top
Cite this Entry
“Top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
top
1 of 4 noun1
a
: the highest point, level, or part of something
the top of the hill
sang at the top of her voice
b
: the upper end, edge, or surface
the top of the page
filled the glass to the top
c
: the stalk and leaves of a plant and especially one with edible roots
beet tops
2
: an upper piece, lid, or covering
blouses, shirts, and tops
put the top on the jar
3
: the highest position
reached the top of the profession
top
2 of 4 verb
topped; topping
1
: to remove or cut the top of
top a tree
2
: to cover with a top or on the top
topped the sundae with nuts
3
: to be better than
4
: to go over the top of
5
: to hit the top part of
top a golf ball
top
3 of 4 adjective
: of, relating to, or being at the top
top
4 of 4 noun
: a child's toy that has a point on which it can be made to spin
Etymology
Noun
Old English top "highest point"
Noun
Old English top "a spinning toy"
More from Merriam-Webster on top
Nglish: Translation of top for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of top for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about top
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