top top /ˈtɔp/

adjective

1. () Situated at the top or highest position  ( top )
   situated at the top or highest position
    The top shelf
   the top shelf
   

noun

1. () The upper part of anything  ( top )
   the upper part of anything
    The mower cuts off the tops of the grass
   the mower cuts off the tops of the grass
    The title should be written at the top of the first page
   the title should be written at the top of the first page
   
   
2. () The highest or uppermost side of anything  ( top side , upper side , upside , top )
   the highest or uppermost side of anything
    Put your books on top of the desk
   put your books on top of the desk
    Only the top side of the box was painted
   only the top side of the box was painted
   
3. () The top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)  ( crown , summit , tip , crest , peak , top )
   the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
    The view from the peak was magnificent
   the view from the peak was magnificent
    They clambered to the tip of Monadnock
   they clambered to the tip of Monadnock
    The region is a few molecules wide at the summit
   the region is a few molecules wide at the summit
   
4. () The highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development  ( acme , meridian , pinnacle , elevation , peak , summit , superlative , tiptop , top , height )
   the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
    His landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
   his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
    The artist's gifts are at their acme
   the artist's gifts are at their acme
    At the height of her career
   at the height of her career
    The peak of perfection
   the peak of perfection
    Summer was at its peak
   summer was at its peak
    ...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
   ...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
    The summit of his ambition
   the summit of his ambition
    So many highest superlatives achieved by man
   so many highest superlatives achieved by man
    At the top of his profession
   at the top of his profession
   
5. () The first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat  ( top of the inning , top )
   the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat
    A relief pitcher took over in the top of the fifth
   a relief pitcher took over in the top of the fifth
   
6. () The greatest possible intensity  ( top )
   the greatest possible intensity
    He screamed at the top of his lungs
   he screamed at the top of his lungs
   
7. A canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance  ( big top , circus tent , round top , top )
   a canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance
    He was afraid of a fire in the circus tent
   he was afraid of a fire in the circus tent
    They had the big top up in less than an hour
   they had the big top up in less than an hour
   
   
8. A garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips  ( top )
   a garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips
    He stared as she buttoned her top
   he stared as she buttoned her top
   
   
9. Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)  ( top , cover )
   covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)
    He removed the top of the carton
   he removed the top of the carton
    He couldn't get the top off of the bottle
   he couldn't get the top off of the bottle
    Put the cover back on the kettle
   put the cover back on the kettle
   
   
10. A conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin  ( spinning top , teetotum , top , whirligig )
    a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
     He got a bright red top and string for his birthday
    he got a bright red top and string for his birthday
    
    
11. Platform surrounding the head of a lower mast  ( top )
    platform surrounding the head of a lower mast
    

verb

1. () Be superior or better than some standard  ( go past , overstep , pass , exceed , top , transcend )
   be superior or better than some standard
    She exceeded our expectations
   She exceeded our expectations
    She topped her performance of last year
   She topped her performance of last year
   
2. () Pass by, over, or under without making contact  ( clear , top )
   pass by, over, or under without making contact
    The balloon cleared the tree tops
   the balloon cleared the tree tops
   
3. Finish up or conclude  ( top , top off )
   finish up or conclude
    They topped off their dinner with a cognac
   They topped off their dinner with a cognac
    Top the evening with champagne
   top the evening with champagne
   
4. Be the culminating event  ( top , crown )
   be the culminating event
    The speech crowned the meeting
   The speech crowned the meeting
   
5. Cut the top off  ( pinch , top )
   cut the top off
    Top trees and bushes
   top trees and bushes
   
6. Strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin  ( top )
   strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin
   
7. Reach or ascend the top of  ( top )
   reach or ascend the top of
    The hikers topped the mountain just before noon
   The hikers topped the mountain just before noon
   
8. Provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure)  ( top , top out )
   provide with a top or finish the top (of a structure)
    The towers were topped with conical roofs
   the towers were topped with conical roofs
   
9. Be ahead of others; be the first  ( top , lead )
   be ahead of others; be the first
    She topped her class every year
   she topped her class every year
   
10. Be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point  ( top )
    be at the top of or constitute the top or highest point
     A star tops the Christmas Tree
    A star tops the Christmas Tree