top

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
a(1)
: the highest point, level, or part of something : summit, crown
(2)
: a garment worn on the upper body
(3)
: the head of a plant
especially : the aboveground part of a plant having edible roots
beet tops
(4)
: the head or top of the head
used especially in the phrase top to toe
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
a
: the highest degree or pitch conceivable or attained : acme, pinnacle
b
: the loudest or highest range of a sound
6
: the choicest part : cream, pick
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 adjective

top

2 of 5

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or being at the top : uppermost
2
: chief, leading
one of the world's top journalists
3
: of the highest quality, amount, or degree
top value
top form

top

3 of 5

verb

topped; topping

transitive verb

1
a
: to be or become higher than : overtop
tops the previous record
b
: to be superior to : excel, surpass
c
: to gain ascendancy over : dominate
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 racePaula Rodenas
3
: to remove or cut the top of
especially : to shorten or remove the top of (a plant) : pinch sense 1b
4
a
: to rise to, reach, or be at the top of
b
: to go over the top of : clear, surmount
5
: to strike (a ball) above the center thereby imparting topspin

intransitive verb

1
: to make an end, finish, or conclusion
2
: to reach a summit or crest
usually used with off or out

top

4 of 5

noun (2)

: 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

top-

5 of 5

combining form

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 headJerome Beatty, Jr.
on top of
1
a
: in control of
acted like a man on top of his jobNewsweek
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

Examples of top in a Sentence

Noun (1) make sure the top is on the blender before you turn it on or you'll make a mess a hawk's nest at the very top of the tree 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 Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Harris reached the end of the 2024 campaign trail on Monday after less than four months of rising to the top of the Democratic ticket. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024 Immigration and the economy followed with 32% and 31% of respondents, putting them at the top of their list, respectively. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
For a secret sauce, top sautéed Swiss chard with a sprinkle of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, and a small pat of unsalted butter. Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 With 100% of precincts reporting, McCready received 51.5% of the vote to Walsh's 48.4%, flipping the township’s top job from blue to red. Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
Lottery sales last year topped $787 million, up from $597 million in 2018. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2024 The offer includes two buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping or its combo of two eggs, hash browns and a choice of two strips of bacon or two pork sausage links. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for top 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English

Combining form

Greek, from topos

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of top was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near top

Cite this Entry

“Top.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

top

1 of 4 noun
1
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
topped adjective

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"

More from Merriam-Webster on top

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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