summit Hear it!

summit Definition

sum·mit (sum′it)

noun

  1. the highest point, part, or elevation; top or apex
  2. the highest degree or state; acme
  3. ☆
    1. the highest level of officials; specif., in connection with diplomatic negotiations, the level restricted to heads of government a meeting at the summit
    2. a conference at the summit

Etymology: ME sommete < OFr, dim. of som, summit < L summum, highest part < summus, highest: see sum

adjective

☆ of the heads of government a summit parley

summit Synonyms

summit

n.

  1. Topmost point

    apex, vertex, crest, peak, point, top, crown; see also mountain 1, top 1.

  2. Highest state

    acme, zenith, climax, culmination, pinnacle, consummation.

summit literally refers to the topmost point of a hill or similar elevation and, figuratively, to the highest attainable level, as of achievement; peak refers to the highest of a number of high points, as in a mountain range or, figuratively, in a graph; climax applies to the highest point, as in interest, force, excitement, etc., in a scale of ascending values; acme refers to the highest possible point of perfection in the development or progress of something; apex suggests the highest point (literally, of a geometric figure such as a cone; figuratively, of a career, process, etc.) where all ascending lines, courses, etc. ultimately meet; pinnacle, in its figurative uses, is equivalent to summit or peak, but sometimes connotes a giddy or unsteady height; zenith literally refers to the highest point in the heavens and hence figuratively suggests fame or success reached by a spectacular rise

summit Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • Everest: Everest summited 24 May 2005 Climbers reached the summit of Everest for the first time this season on 21 and 22 May.
  • cairngorm: The main lounge/dining room looks up to the summit of Cairngorm.
  • hill: The summit of the hill above is covered in birch, with oak the dominant species on the sides.
  • volcano: MITIGATION MEASURES Establish permanent danger zones ( 4 to 6 km radius circle ) around the summit of active volcanoes.
  • mountain: The summits of mountains have attracted people for many millennia.

Converse of object

  • reach: To reach the summit, you would need a full day.
  • attain: And yet, he says, we are spiritually like young bees not yet able to attain the summit of perfection.
  • ascend: On arrival in Windermere, Wainwright ascended the recommended summit of Orrest Head.

Adjective modifier

  • Arab: Iraq began to end a decade of diplomatic isolation in March at the Arab summit.
  • rocky: We will mostly walk on the very high lands, close to the rocky summits crossing several small passes without loosing much height.
  • rounded: In the east are the Black Mountains ( plural ) with their massive rounded summits and stark expanses of open peaty moor-land.
  • lofty: On the morning of our visit the lofty summit was attended by its own small cloud, hovering reverently overhead.
  • craggy: The craggy summit I am perched on is Cradle Mountain.
  • snow-capped: Arriving at our camp, our tents were set up so they had an amazing view over the snow-capped summit.

Modifies a noun

  • cairn: By 1847, a small collection of wooden huts had been built around the summit cairn.
  • plateau: The summit plateau appears to be more water than hill.
  • ridge: The final part of the climb being a traverse of the summit ridge which in itself is worth a visit.
  • trig: The summit trig is situated in good-quality chalk grassland packed with wild flowers.
  • dome: The summit dome is rough and bouldery, devoid of vegetation, and snowbound for much of the year.
  • crater: Lahars originating from the summit crater lake on Mt.
summit Quotes

Learn the ABC of science before you try to ascend to its summit.

—Pavlov, I(van) P(etrovich)

   In a march of onlya few hours, I had passed from the western to the eastern hemisphere and had verified my position at the summit of the world.It was hard to realise that on the first miles of the brief march we had been travelling due north, while on the last few miles of the same march we had been travelling due south, although we had all the time been travelling precisely in the same direction.

—Peary, Robert Edwin

For too long, society has resembled a pyramid that has been turned upside down and made to rest on its summit. I have replaced it on its base.

—LouisNapoleon Bonaparte

Diplomatic problems used to be discussed by ambassadors† Foreign Ministers were called†somebody thought of the summit meetings† Wearenearing themoment whenpolitical meetingswill be held at a divine level.

—Acheson, Dean Gooderham

Soldats, songez que, du haut de ces pyramides, quarante sie'  cles vous contemplent. Soldiers, think that, from the summit of these pyramids, forty centuries look down upon you.

—Napoleon I