high-water mark

American  

[hahy-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈhaɪˈwɔ tər, -ˈwɒt ər /

noun

1. a mark showing the highest level reached by a body of water.

2. the highest point of anything; acme.

   Her speech was the high-water mark of the conference.

---

high-water mark British  

noun

1. 1. the level reached by sea water at high tide or by other stretches of water in flood

   2. the mark indicating this level

2. the highest point

---

high-water mark Idioms  

1. The peak of something, especially an achievement. For example, This composition is the high-water mark of his entire output. This expression alludes to the highest mark left on shore by the tide. [Mid-1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of high-water mark

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

high-water mark

The number shatters the previous high-water mark that was set when a group led by private-equity titan Joshua Harris bought the Washington Commanders for $6 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

Canada has sometimes been referred to as the "forgotten host" of this World Cup, but for the men's national team and its supporters, the performance during the tournament will be an unforgettable high-water mark.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Still, there are signs the 4.2% yearly rate of inflation in May could be the high-water mark of the latest bout of inflation.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026

For the U.S. and Mexico the goal is to get beyond the quarterfinals, the high-water mark for both countries in the modern era.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Unfortunately, the gains achieved in 1992 represented a high-water mark.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• apex
• apogee
• upper limit