atop

American  

[uh-top] / əˈtɒp /

adjective

1. on or at the top.

---

preposition

1. on the top of.

   atop the flagpole.

atop British  

/ əˈtɒp /

adverb

1. on top; at the top

---

preposition

1. on top of; at the top of

Etymology

Origin of atop

First recorded in 1650–60; a- ¹ + top ¹

Explanation

Use the adverb atop when something is on the top of something else. You could say, for example, "I'm standing atop of the chicken coop, getting ready to jump in that pile of leaves." The word atop is somewhat old fashioned, but it's still a good way to describe being at the very top of something. You might live atop of the highest hill in town, or enjoy looking out your window to watch birds land atop of the garage. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the word was spelled with a hyphen: a-top. It took its current form, atop, in the nineteenth century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

atop

Footage from the scene broadcast by Turkish television showed the capsized ferry with passengers wearing life jackets sitting atop its orange hull.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

Images broadcast by Turkish television showed the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its orange hull.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

Local television has broadcast images of the upside-down ferry in the water, with people wearing life vests atop its hull.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

This season, he’s remained atop the standings despite losing 50% of his opportunities to use his best weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

The woman took from her pocket a small, jeweled figure of a bird, cast in gold and emeralds, with a ruby-studded crest of feathers atop its head.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell