Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » top

top

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Top is the highest point, head or furthest up part of something.

(noun)

An example of top is the twelfth floor in a twelve-story building.
An example of top is where someone would hear a hat.
An example of top is the ridge of a mountain.

To top is defined as to exceed, surpass or do better.

(verb)

An example of to top is a student getting the best grade point average in their entire class.
An example of to top is getting two aces when playing Texas Hold 'Em poker.

See top in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Obsolete
1. a tuft of hair
2. the hair of the head
the head, or crown of the head: now chiefly in
the upper or highest part, section, point, or surface of anything: the top of a hill
the part of a plant that grows above ground: beet tops
something that constitutes the uppermost part or covering of something else; specif.,
1. a lid, cover, cap, etc.: a box top, bottle top
2. the upper part of an automobile body, esp. a folding roof or cover
3. a platform around the head of each lower mast of a sailing ship, to which the rigging of the topmast is attached
1. the upper part of a two-piece garment, esp. for a woman: a pajama top
2. any upper garment for a woman, often, specif., one other than a shirt or blouse
a person or thing first in order, excellence, importance, etc.; specif.,
1. the highest degree or pitch; zenith; acme: at the top of one's voice, the top of one's career
2. the highest rank, position, etc.: at the top in one's profession
3. a person in this rank, etc.
4. the choicest part; pick; cream: the top of the crop, top of the morning
5. the beginning, as of a piece of music: take it from the top
6. ☆ Baseball the first half (of an inning)
Slang something or someone that is preeminent in quality, ability, popularity, etc.; the very best: used predicatively (often with the)
Card Games the highest cards of a suit
Chem. the most volatile part of a mixture
Sports
1. a stroke that hits the ball above center or near its top
2. the forward spin given the ball by such a stroke

Origin: ME < OE topp, akin to ON toppr, tuft, top, Ger zopf, tuft of hair, summit

adjective

of, situated at, or being the top; uppermost, highest, greatest, or foremost: the top drawer, top honors

transitive verb topped, topping

to take off the top of (a plant, etc.)
1. to provide or cover with a top
2. to put or place on the top of
to be a top for
to reach the top of; be on a level with
to exceed in amount, height, degree, etc.: a fish topping 75 pounds
to be better, more effective, funnier, etc. than; surpass; outdo
to go over the top of (a rise of ground, etc.)
to be at the top of; head; lead
Chem. to remove the volatile parts from by distillation
Dyeing to finish with a certain dye
Sports
1. to hit or stroke (a ball) at a point above its center or near its top, giving it a forward spin
2. to make (a stroke) by hitting the ball in this way

intransitive verb

to top someone or something (in any sense)

noun

a child's cone-shaped toy, spun on its pointed end

Origin: < OE, prob. special use of top

See top in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The uppermost part, point, surface, or end.
The part farthest from a given reference point: took a jump shot from the top of the key.
The crown of the head: from top to toe.
The part of a plant, such as a rutabaga, that is above the ground.
Something, such as a lid or cap, that covers or forms an uppermost part.
A garment worn on the upper half of the body, especially a sweater or knit shirt.
Nautical A platform enclosing the head of each mast of a sailing ship, to which the topmast rigging is attached.
The highest degree, pitch, or point; the peak, acme, or zenith: “It had come at a time when he was not feeling at the top of his form” (Anthony Powell).
a. The highest position or rank: at the top of his profession.
b. A person in this position.
Games The highest card or cards in a suit or hand.
The best part.
The earliest part or beginning: She played the piece again, from the top.
Baseball The first half of an inning.
Sports
a. A stroke that lands above the center of a ball, as in golf or tennis, giving it a forward spin.
b. A forward spin on a ball resulting from such a stroke.

adjective

Situated at the top: the top shelf.
Of the highest degree, quality, rank, or amount: in top form; the top ten bestsellers.
In a position of preeminence: the top historian in her department.

verb topped topped, top·ping, tops

verb, transitive

To form, furnish with, or serve as a top.
To reach the top of.
To go over the top of.
To exceed or surpass.
To be at the head of: She topped her class.
To remove the top or uppermost part from; crop: topped the fruit trees.
Sports
a. To strike the upper part of (a ball), giving it forward spin.
b. To make (a stroke) in this way.

verb, intransitive

To make a finish, an end, or a conclusion.

Phrasal Verbs: top off To fill up (a container), especially when it is almost full to begin with. To finish up. top out To put the framework for the top story on (a building). To fill up (a ship, for example). To cease rising: Interest rates topped out at 16 percent. Informal To give up one's career just as one becomes highly successful.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English

noun

A toy having one end tapered to a point, allowing it to be spun, as by suddenly pulling a string wound around it.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English

prefix

Variant of topo-.

Learn more about top

top synonyms