peak
1the pointed top of a mountain or ridge.
a mountain with a pointed summit.
the pointed top of anything.
the highest or most important point or level: the peak of her political career.
the maximum point, degree, or volume of anything: Oil prices reached their peak last year.
a time of the day or year when traffic, use, demand, etc., is greatest and charges, fares, or the like are at the maximum: Early evening is the peak on commuter railroads.
the higher fare, charges, etc., during such a period: If you fly during the Christmas holidays, you'll have to pay peak.
Physics.
the maximum value of a quantity during a specified time interval: a voltage peak.
the maximum power consumed or produced by a unit or group of units in a stated period of time.
a projecting point: the peak of a man's beard.
a projecting front piece, or visor, of a cap.
Phonetics. nucleus (def. 8a).
Nautical.
the contracted part of a ship's hull at the bow or the stern.
the upper after corner of a sail that is extended by a gaff.
the outer extremity of a gaff.
to project in a peak.
to attain a peak of activity, development, popularity, etc.: The artist peaked in the 1950s.
Nautical. to raise the after end of (a yard, gaff, etc.) to or toward an angle above the horizontal.
Also on-peak . being at the point of maximum frequency, intensity, use, etc.; busiest or most active: Hotel rooms are most expensive during the peak travel seasons.
being at the height of trendiness, public notice, etc: We have reached peak “exercise dress”—women are gravitating toward sporty, stretchy skort-dresses for everyday wear.
being the most perfect embodiment of something: Peak Gemini energy on display as our kid takes one lick off everyone’s cone, because she likes all the ice cream flavors.
Origin of peak
1Other words for peak
Opposites for peak
Other words from peak
- peak·less, adjective
- peak·like, adjective
Words that may be confused with peak
Other definitions for peak (2 of 2)
to become weak, thin, and sickly.
Origin of peak
2Other words from peak
- peakish, adjective
- peak·ish·ly, adverb
- peak·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use peak in a sentence
Europe is now recording more coronavirus deaths than during its April peak.
Europe's brutal coronavirus surge begins to ease after restrictions | Dave Lawler | November 19, 2020 | AxiosThe state, which saw a daily peak of around 700 infections in August, has now gone 20 days without new cases.
One of the world’s strictest new lockdowns bans outdoor exercising and dog-walking | Claire Zillman, reporter | November 19, 2020 | FortuneSnow covers many of the Himalayan peaks year-round in South Asia.
Surprising long-haul dust and tar are melting high glaciers | Sid Perkins | November 17, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThough these co-infections are rare so far, that is most likely due to the fact that flu season has not yet reached its peak in the US.
You can get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time | Rachael Zisk | November 16, 2020 | Popular-ScienceLoder continued to make films until 1971 while political violence in Northern Ireland escalated to its peak in 1972.
A rare word as a verb, though the adjective peakish is common enough in old English writers.
Shakespeare Jest-Books; | UnknownThe landlady and her daughter thought he was rather peakish, but he had not complained.
Tommy and Grizel | J.M. BarriePeakish hill; this may refer to the well-known Derbyshire mountain called the peak.
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume I (of 3) | Thomas Percy
British Dictionary definitions for peak
/ (piːk) /
a pointed end, edge, or projection: the peak of a roof
the pointed summit of a mountain
a mountain with a pointed summit
the point of greatest development, strength, etc: the peak of his career
a sharp increase in a physical quantity followed by a sharp decrease: a voltage peak
the maximum value of this quantity
(as modifier): peak voltage
Also called: visor a projecting piece on the front of some caps
See widow's peak
the pointed end of a beard
nautical
the extreme forward (forepeak) or aft (afterpeak) part of the hull
(of a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail) the after uppermost corner
the after end of a gaff
(tr) nautical to set (a gaff) or tilt (oars) vertically
to form or reach or cause to form or reach a peak or maximum
of or relating to a period of highest use or demand, as for watching television, commuting, etc: peak viewing hours; peak time
Origin of peak
1Derived forms of peak
- peaky or peakish, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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