top-line

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtäp-ˌlīn 

1

a

: most featured or prominently advertised : leading

… its oldest top-line act, the Rolling Stones, has long been taken as a symbol of the excesses of rock's nightmare side.

—Ethan Mordden

b

: of the highest quality, level, or degree : top-of-the-line

The lauded ladies received top-line Southern hospitality …

—Tim Allis

The new chips may well make moderately priced workhorse computers—the type many people buy—perform more like today's top-line models.

—Consumer Reports

2

business : relating to or concerned with gross sales or revenue

For real value creation, the merged company has to produce top-line growth and better margins through superior offerings to customers.

—Geoffrey Colvin

top line

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly topline

ˈtäp-ˌlīn 

plural top lines also toplines

1

business : the line at the top of a financial report that shows gross sales or revenue before the deduction of expenses or losses

The top line is weak, with a meager 0.3% sales gain last year, to $669 million, which doesn't even keep up with inflation.

—Jack Gage

When I first started writing about business, earnings stories focused on two numbers: sales (the top line on a company's income statement) and net income (the bottom line, after deducting all expenses including taxes).

—Kathleen Pender

compare bottom line sense 2a

2

usually topline : the outline of the top of the body of an animal (such as a dog or horse)

A long-legged, long-moving individual with long topline is considered the optimum type for the horse show.

—Linda Connors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Negotiators reached a tentative agreement on Saturday evening that would raise the debt ceiling for two years, roll back non-defense discretionary spending to Fiscal Year 2022 levels, and cap top-line federal spending to one-percent annual growth over the next six years. —Emily Jacobs, Washington Examiner, 28 May 2023

Yzerman chose forward Lucas Raymond, a skilled winger with top-line capabilities. —Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 9 May 2023

The centerfielder’s top-line stats are brutal: A .192/.257/.333 slash line; negative-0.2 WAR. —The Arizona Republic, 9 May 2023

Akili Interactive on Wednesday revealed earlier-than-expected top-line clinical trial results suggesting its video game treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is effective for adults. —Mario Aguilar, STAT, 3 May 2023

Analysts from Boston Consulting Group found that by redirecting 25% of promotional budgets to personalized offers, retailers could increase their return on investment (ROI) by 200%, equating to top-line growth of $70 billion in annual revenue. —Simon Bird, Forbes, 3 May 2023

The Kings also need production from Danault, top-line winger Quinton Byfield, and their third and fourth lines. —Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2023

DeBrusk rescinds trade request, and Sweeney’s trades are home runs The 2022-23 season offered a clean slate for DeBrusk, who rescinded his standing trade request following Boston’s coaching reshuffle and rewarded his team with 27 goals over 64 games as a top-line winger. —Conor Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023

Marchand’s goal, which provided the 1-0 lead, was his first since March 9, ending a 16-game drought for the top-line left winger. —Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2