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Synonyms

apical

American  
[ey-pi-kuhl, ap-i-] / ˈeɪ pɪ kəl, ˈæp ɪ- /

adjective

  1. of, at, or forming the apex.

  2. Phonetics. (of a speech sound) articulated principally with the aid of the tip of the tongue, as t or d.


noun

  1. Phonetics. an apical sound.

apical British  
/ ˈæpɪkəl, ˈeɪ- /

adjective

  1. of, at, or being the apex

  2. of or denoting a consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue, such as (t) or (d)

"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

Other Word Forms

  • apically adverb

Etymology

Origin of apical

1820–30; < Latin apic- (stem of apex ) apex + -al 1

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 number of apical progenitor cells, which are essential for building the cerebral cortex, was significantly lower.

From Science Daily • Dec. 17, 2025

As a result, apical progenitor cells were less able to renew themselves.

From Science Daily • Dec. 17, 2025

The measurements were taken at the neurons' distal apical dendrites of the visual cortex, which receive top-down signals, and at their cell bodies, which receive bottom-up signals.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

The apical complex is specialized for entry and infection of host cells.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Many species have the extreme apices of the segments pale, but with the apical integument so very thin, often looking nearly transparent and membranous, that its development would be very rapid.

From Wild Bees, Wasps and Ants and Other Stinging Insects by Saunders, Edward