apex
1 Americannoun
plural
apexes, apices-
the tip, point, or vertex; summit.
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climax; peak; acme.
His election to the presidency was the apex of his career.
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Astronomy. solar apex.
noun
noun
-
the highest point; vertex
-
the pointed end or tip of something
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a pinnacle or high point, as of a career, etc
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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
acronym
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Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced airline or long-distance rail fare that must be paid a specified number of days in advance
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(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.
Following the re-introduction of the sea eagle, the only other UK apex predator, Scottish farmers reported having to abandon their hill farms after the birds decimated their lamb populations.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Another side features a curving surface descending from the apex for winter sledding.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
"Our research provides insight into how two apex predators compete, which informs recovery efforts."
From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026
A wolf arrived in Los Angeles County on Saturday morning, marking the first time the apex predator has been documented in the area in at least a century, according to state wildlife officials.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026
At the apex of the dome was the letter M. Beneath it were carved thirteen small circles, each with a smiling face upon it.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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.
