apex
noun
the tip, point, or vertex; summit.
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apex
1 American
[ey-peks]
/ ˈeɪ pɛks /
noun
plural
apexes, apices-
the tip, point, or vertex; summit.
-
climax; peak; acme.
His election to the presidency was the apex of his career.
-
Astronomy. solar apex.
APEX
2
American
[ey-peks]
/ ˈeɪ pɛks /
noun
apex
1
British
/ ˈeɪpɛks /
noun
-
the highest point; vertex
-
the pointed end or tip of something
-
a pinnacle or high point, as of a career, etc
-
Also called: solar apex. astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, lying in the constellation Hercules, towards which the sun appears to move at a velocity of 20 kilometres per second relative to the nearest stars
APEX
2
British
/ ˈeɪpɛks /
acronym
-
Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced airline or long-distance rail fare that must be paid a specified number of days in advance
-
(in Britain) Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical, and Computer Staff
Etymology
Origin of apex1
Borrowed into English from Latin around 1595–1605
Origin of APEX2
First recorded in 1970–75; A(dvance) P(urchase) Ex(cursion)
Explanation
When there's no mountain left to climb and nothing but blue sky above, you know you've reached the highest peak — the apex. Apex can mean the highest point in a literal sense, like climbing to the apex of the Eiffel Tower for a fabulous view of Paris. It also can be used to mean the highest point in a figurative sense. An actor who wins an Oscar can say she's reached the apex of her career. If you're describing more than one high point, you could add an -es to form the plural apexes, but apices would also be correct. And if you're a botanist, you'd probably use apex to describe the tip of a flower or leaf.
Vocabulary lists containing apex
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Four
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Ender's Game
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50th Anniversary of the March on Washington: "Trying to Inspire a New Generation" by Trip Gabriel
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The company pointed to particular strength for its Apex Legends game, which it said delivered its strongest net bookings quarter of the fiscal year as engagement and monetization continue to improve.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
Mustafa Haji, a lawyer for the Leh Apex Body -- which spearheaded last year's protests -- said Wangchuk was released from jail in the western city of Jodhpur soon after.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
For 12 years she ran the social enterprise Apex Scotland, working with employers and former prisoners.
From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026
“Earlier in the year, when someone would announce a deal, that money was going to come through no matter the time horizon,” said Michael Treacy, head of market risk at Apex Fintech Solutions.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025
In fact, the aberration is really equivalent to drawing each star from its mean place towards the Apex of the Earth's Way, as the point is sometimes termed.
From The Story of the Heavens by Ball, Robert S. (Robert Stawell), Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
