the highest point or part, as of a hill, a line of travel, or any object; top; apex.
the highest point of attainment or aspiration.
the summit of one's ambition.
the highest state or degree.
the highest level of diplomatic or other governmental officials.
a meeting at the summit.
to take part in a summit meeting.
to reach a summit.
summited after a 14-hour climb.
a city in NE New Jersey.
a city in NE Illinois.
the highest point or part, esp of a mountain or line of communication; top
the highest possible degree or state; peak or climax
the summit of ambition
the highest level, importance, or rank
a meeting at the summit
a meeting of chiefs of governments or other high officials
( as modifier )
a summit conference
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English somete, from Old French, from som “top” (from Latin summum, noun use of neuter of summus “highest”; see sum) + -ete -et
What better place for the mountain-climbing summit than on the summit of the mountain. A summit can mean either a meeting between people who are interested in the same subject or the peak of the mountain. Although originally meant to describe a meeting between the heads of state, summit can be used to describe any gathering of people who care deeply about the same topic. If, for example, you are the captain of your chess club, you might attend the upcoming Chess Club Summit, at which new rules of the tournament will be discussed. Moreover, while summit also means the very top of a mountain, summit can be used metaphorically to mean a variety of heights, such as the summit of a career, an industry, or any kind of major effort.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also hailed his relationship with China's President Xi as "amazing", on the back of a two-day summit in Beijing last week.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
The action near the Strait of Hormuz occurred the day the Trump-Xi summit began in Beijing, with Iran on the agenda.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Accompanied by a small entourage, Landry, who is also Governor of Louisiana, travelled for a business summit and will attend the opening of a new US consulate building.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
Though the stock is down 5% since the summit, the decline coincides with a broader sell off in chip stocks and its shares are still up 30% so far this year.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Don Swanson spent his first hours at Mount St. Helens leaning out of a hovering helicopter directly over the summit of the volcano.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
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.
