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.

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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

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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]

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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

Nextpower is on pace for a record closing high, poised to surpass the previous high-water mark of $130.42 from March 25, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

The 2023 best picture field set a modern high-water mark of $4.4 billion worldwide, powered by the mega-hits “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

A stone in the tiny village of Aneyoshi, in Iwate prefecture, sits at the high-water mark from a 1933 tsunami.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• apex
• apogee
• upper limit