top

¹top

noun \ˈtäp\

Definition of TOP

1

a (1) : the highest point, level, or part of something : summit, crown (2) : the head or top of the head —used especially in the phrase top to toe (3) : the head of a plant; especially : the aboveground part of a plant having edible roots <beet tops> (4) : a garment worn on the upper body 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 : 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

4

a : the highest degree or pitch conceivable or attained : acme, pinnacle b : the loudest or highest range of a sound

5

a : the part that is nearest in space or time to the source or beginning b : the first half of an inning in baseball

6

a (1) : the highest position (as in rank or achievement) (2) : a person or thing at the top b plural : aces and kings in a hand or the three highest honors in a suit

7

: the choicest part : cream, pick

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 \ˈtäpt\ adjective

— 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.>

— on top of

1

a : in control of <acted like a man on top of his job — 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

— on top of the world

: in a position of eminent success, happiness, or fame

— over the top

: beyond the bounds of what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate

Origin of TOP

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zopf tip, tuft of hair

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with TOP

bop, chap, chop, clop, cop, crop, drop, flop, fop, glop, hop, knop, lop, mop, op, plop, pop, prop, scop, shop, slop, sop, stop, strop, swap, whop