apex
noun
the tip, point, or vertex; summit.
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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
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.
Weese’s design virtuosity reaches its apex at the appropriately named Metro Center, where two vaults intersect.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
After being hunted to extinction a century ago, gray wolves are continuing their remarkable comeback story in California, with state wildlife officials reporting a modern record number of the apex predators.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
Rather than trying to buy stocks at the apex of fear based off VIX signals, consider integrating gas prices into your decision-making.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
The findings suggest that peaceful coexistence between these two apex predators depends less on the total amount of prey available and more on having a variety of prey species and access to safe escape terrain.
From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026
Then, at the apex, the grass was thick again because no one sat there.
From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
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.
