apex
noun
the tip, point, or vertex; summit.
apex
1 American
[ey-peks]
/ ˈeɪ pɛks /
noun
apexes,
plural
apices
plural
-
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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
He subsequently enrolled at Apex Technical School in Manhattan to train as an electrician and hasn't looked back.
From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026
That’s according to data provided to MarketWatch by Apex Marketing, a company that specializes in advertising and branding services.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
“It’s just the perfect storm for exorbitant retail enthusiasm and demand,” said Mike Treacy, head market analyst and vice president of risk at Apex Fintech Solutions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
The pair are starring together in new Netflix action drama Apex.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
This, combined with a fire which suddenly sprang up in front of the Apex, gave occasion for extra watchfulness, and the reserve companies were ordered to be in readiness to move.
From The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. I Egypt, Gallipoli, Lemnos Island, Sinai Peninsula by Collett, Herbert Brayley
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.
