zenith Hear it!

zenith Definition

ze·nith (nit̸h; Brit, & often Cdn, zenit̸h)

noun

  1. the point directly overhead in the sky or on the celestial sphere
  2. the highest point; peak

Etymology: ME senyth < MFr cenith < ML cenit < senit, scribal error for Ar samt, road, path (as in samt al-raʾs, zenith, lit., way of the head) < L semita, path, way

zenith Synonyms

zenith

n.

top, pinnacle, summit, apogee, culmination, maximum height, highest point, climax, eminence, apex, altitude, elevation, acme, tip, crest, cap, roof, peak, crown, culminating point, tiptop*.

Antonyms bottom*, foundation, base. See syn. study at summit.summit.

zenith Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • achievement: His Catholic boss Gerry has never managed this zenith of achievement.
  • power: The date marks the zenith of the power of the Seven Trades.
  • success: The Conservative Party and Margaret Thatcher appeared to be at a zenith of success and power, yet he despaired of our future.

Converse of object

  • reach: Most men are reaching the zenith of their career in their fifties yet rarely have time to keep their bodies in shape.
  • represent: An angle of 0 degrees describes the point below us while an angle of 180 degrees represents the zenith.
  • mark: The date marks the zenith of the power of the Seven Trades.
  • pass: Then after passing zenith, they made an astounding maneuver.
  • cross: In actuality each one is a curved meridian running from pole to pole, crossing the zenith or overhead position of its planet.
  • call: In this position the instrument is pointing straight upwards to a point called the zenith.

Adjective modifier

  • very: Cozy little hideout at the very zenith of the Cul de Sac building.
  • absolute: At the absolute zenith of the importance of art to the cultural and public life of the country he was its leading representative.
  • cultural: Its cultural zenith has to be ancient Olympia, situated within the Peloponnese's north western Messinia region.

Modifies a noun

  • angle: To an observer at O, the zenith angle of object S appears to be z ' .
  • distance: All specifications in terms of seeing apply to the seeing at the zenith distance of the object.
  • telescope: Telescope: first person in England to observe stars in daylight using a zenith telescope.
  • sector: He erected a 24-foot zenith sector at his house, Kew House, Kew Green in 1725.
  • passage: Exactly 60 days after the Spring Equinox, on May 20, the zenith passage of the sun takes place over Chichen Itza.
  • point: The time of Zuhr, the midday prayer, begins after the sun has crossed the zenith point and has begun to decline.

Preposition: in

  • year: The English Heritage events program reached its zenith in Millenium year, with 1000 events.
  • century: Burgundy has a rich and colorful history, and reached its zenith in the late 14th century.

Browse dictionary entries near zenith

  1. Zenger
  2. zener diode
  3. Zend-Avesta
  4. Zend
  5. zenana
  6. zenaida (dove)
  7. Zen
  8. zemstvo
  9. zemindar
  10. Zelig
  1. Zeno
  2. Zenobia
  3. zeolite
  4. Zephaniah
  5. zephyr
  6. Zephyrus
  7. zeppelin
  8. zeppole
  9. zepto-
  10. zerk