atop

American  

[uh-top] / əˈtɒp /

adjective

1. on or at the top.

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preposition

1. on the top of.

   atop the flagpole.

atop British  

/ əˈtɒp /

adverb

1. on top; at the top

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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

Earlier that morning, Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei published a flattering bulletin placing Schmitt atop the speculative short list to be Vice President JD Vance’s 2028 running mate, quoting admirers of the senator.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

The cameras are mounted atop tractors and they scoop up imagery of the apple trees as the tractor trundles by.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Boricua culture, old and new, is celebrated in a charming image of a langosta vendor atop a horse and a portrait of Bad Bunny proudly performing in front of a flapping Puerto Rican flag.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Quartz crystals sat at each of the bed’s four corners and atop a small glass table to the side.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

And sitting atop it is a new pencil, freshly sharpened.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish