high tide

American  

noun

1. the tide at its highest level of elevation.

2. the time of high water.

3. a culminating point.

   the high tide of the revolution.

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high tide British  

noun

1. 1. the tide at its highest level

   2. the time at which it reaches this

2. a culminating point

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high tide Scientific  

1. The tide when it is at its highest level at a particular time and place. The highest tides reached under normal meteorological conditions (the spring tides) take place when the Moon and Sun are directly aligned with respect to Earth. High tides are less extreme (the neap tides) when the Moon and Sun are at right angles. Storms and other meteorological conditions can greatly affect the height of the tides as well.

2. See more at tide

3. The time at which a high tide occurs.

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Etymology

Origin of high tide

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Compare meaning

How does high-tide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• high tide vs. low tide

Example Sentences

High tide was at 11:30 a.m., around the height of the storm.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2022

High tide, when rescuers are expected to try to refloat the dolphins, is at 7:36 p.m.

From Reuters • Aug. 12, 2022

High tide was just two hours away and waves were crashing against the rocks when she called 999.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2022

High tide flooding, also called “nuisance” or “sunny-day” flooding, inundates streets and homes with water levels that reach up to two feet higher than the average high tide.

From The Verge • Jul. 15, 2021

High tide came too late now, so each afternoon, Turner waited for the bells of First Congregational to ring three times.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt

Related Words

• high water