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Synonyms

apex

1 American  
[ey-peks] / ˈeɪ pɛks /

noun

plural

apexes, apices

  1. the tip, point, or vertex; summit.

  2. climax; peak; acme.

    His election to the presidency was the apex of his career.

  3. Astronomy. solar apex.

APEX 2 American  
[ey-peks] / ˈeɪ pɛks /

noun

  1. a type of international airfare offering reduced rates for extended stays that are booked in advance.

apex 1 British  
/ ˈeɪpɛks /

noun

  1. the highest point; vertex

  2. the pointed end or tip of something

  3. a pinnacle or high point, as of a career, etc

  4. 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
APEX 2 British  
/ ˈeɪpɛks /

acronym

  1. Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced airline or long-distance rail fare that must be paid a specified number of days in advance

  2. (in Britain) Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical, and Computer Staff

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)

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.

The early 2020s marked the apex of a production boom known as “peak TV,” during which streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max tried to add subscribers as fast as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"Our research provides insight into how two apex predators compete, which informs recovery efforts."

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

By invoking constitutional mechanisms and activating the temporary governing arrangement, authorities aim to signal that the system remains intact despite the loss of its apex figure.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

It wasn’t until 2011 that the apex predators returned, when a wolf ventured into the state from Oregon.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

There’s probably a genetic reason every mother believes her son to be the apex of male beauty.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

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.