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!
Recent Examples on the WebEssence, 9 Apr. 2024
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: • Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
The oval transducer, wider at the top than at the base, is roughly the size of the earcup and occupies the entire driver enclosure.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Home prices, mortgage rates remain high as inflation cools 01:34
Despite the high cost of housing, most homeowners have found a way to stay on top of their payments.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
At the top of the stairs, hikers will pass by a World War II-era underground searchlight shelter.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Ashlee posed on a set of steps in a solo photo while wearing a brown-and-white patterned top and matching wide-leg pants.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Tristen Newton fed him the ball at the top of the key, and Hawkins launched an off-balance jumper just as Butler caught him and extended an arm.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
After decades of simply fighting for a final playoff spot, the Milwaukee Bucks once again find themselves at or near the top of the Eastern Conference standings with ten games remaining in the regular season.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Anna Sago, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The state's top court relied on that language in upholding the 1864 law on Tuesday, banning abortions at any point in gestation except to save the life of the mother.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
So in a wartime government that tasks each of its top officials with lobbying Western allies for more weapons, President Volodymyr Zelensky delegated a specific track for Kuleba — to persuade countries with spare Patriots to transfer them.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Italy’s top court had ordered the retrial in October after Knox appealed for the slander condition to be overturned.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Performance figures weren’t provided but the STO can go from zero to 62 mph in just 3.0 seconds and had a top speed of 192 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
He has also been named top sports columnist twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The top 10%, with incomes of at least $169,800, pay about three-quarters of the nation's tax bill, the analysis found.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
On Friday, Ford itemized nearly $80 million in executive compensation for its top five executives in 2023: Farley; chief financial officer John Lawler; board executive chair Bill Ford; chief electric vehicle, digital and design officer Doug Field; and Peter Stern, president of integrated services.
—Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024
Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Undoubtedly, rates will top 7% with the next Freddie report.
—Jeff Lazerson, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
This reasoning still did not top the rankings of why millennials were moving.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The figure topped economists’ consensus forecast for 3.4% year-over-year inflation and February’s 3.2% reading.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
Since then, plastic pieces have topped the list, followed by cigarette butts and foam pieces.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
Queen of the South and Tennessee mountain girl Dolly Parton has our hearts for many reasons, but her commitment to promoting literacy tops the list.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
In its first year as a theatrical distributor, Angel topped $300 million in global ticket sales, with more than $185 million of that coming from Sound of Freedom.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Country duo Big & Rich with their guest Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson topped the bill over Swift.
Swift, promoting her eponymous debut album and the Miami appearance, spoke to the Miami Herald back then.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
The silhouette is similar to a peplum style except its tight at the top and slightly flared below the waist.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: • Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
The oval transducer, wider at the top than at the base, is roughly the size of the earcup and occupies the entire driver enclosure.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Home prices, mortgage rates remain high as inflation cools 01:34
Despite the high cost of housing, most homeowners have found a way to stay on top of their payments.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
At the top of the stairs, hikers will pass by a World War II-era underground searchlight shelter.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Ashlee posed on a set of steps in a solo photo while wearing a brown-and-white patterned top and matching wide-leg pants.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Tristen Newton fed him the ball at the top of the key, and Hawkins launched an off-balance jumper just as Butler caught him and extended an arm.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
After decades of simply fighting for a final playoff spot, the Milwaukee Bucks once again find themselves at or near the top of the Eastern Conference standings with ten games remaining in the regular season.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The Republican race to become Missouri’s top election official is poised to be one of the most crowded, and intense, statewide races this year.
—Anna Sago, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The state's top court relied on that language in upholding the 1864 law on Tuesday, banning abortions at any point in gestation except to save the life of the mother.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
So in a wartime government that tasks each of its top officials with lobbying Western allies for more weapons, President Volodymyr Zelensky delegated a specific track for Kuleba — to persuade countries with spare Patriots to transfer them.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Italy’s top court had ordered the retrial in October after Knox appealed for the slander condition to be overturned.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
Performance figures weren’t provided but the STO can go from zero to 62 mph in just 3.0 seconds and had a top speed of 192 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
He has also been named top sports columnist twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The top 10%, with incomes of at least $169,800, pay about three-quarters of the nation's tax bill, the analysis found.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
On Friday, Ford itemized nearly $80 million in executive compensation for its top five executives in 2023: Farley; chief financial officer John Lawler; board executive chair Bill Ford; chief electric vehicle, digital and design officer Doug Field; and Peter Stern, president of integrated services.
—Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
Make the cucumber mixture ahead of time and top it off with ice and club soda (or even Champagne).
—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Undoubtedly, rates will top 7% with the next Freddie report.
—Jeff Lazerson, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
This reasoning still did not top the rankings of why millennials were moving.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The figure topped economists’ consensus forecast for 3.4% year-over-year inflation and February’s 3.2% reading.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
Since then, plastic pieces have topped the list, followed by cigarette butts and foam pieces.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
Queen of the South and Tennessee mountain girl Dolly Parton has our hearts for many reasons, but her commitment to promoting literacy tops the list.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
In its first year as a theatrical distributor, Angel topped $300 million in global ticket sales, with more than $185 million of that coming from Sound of Freedom.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Country duo Big & Rich with their guest Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson topped the bill over Swift.
Swift, promoting her eponymous debut album and the Miami appearance, spoke to the Miami Herald back then.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near top
Cite this Entry
“Top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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