peak

¹ American  

[peek] / pik /

verb (used without object)

1. to become weak, thin, and sickly.

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peak ² American  

[peek] / pik /

noun

1. the pointed top of a mountain or ridge.

2. a mountain with a pointed summit.

3. the pointed top of anything.

4. the highest or most important point or level.

   the peak of her political career.

   Synonyms:

   optimum, perfect, ideal, zenith, summit, summit, pinnacle, apex, acme

   Antonyms:

   nadir, abyss, chasm

5. the maximum point, degree, or volume of anything.

   Oil prices reached their peak last year.

6. a time of the day or year when traffic, use, demand, etc., is greatest and charges, fares, or the like are at the maximum.

   Early evening is the peak on commuter railroads.

7. the higher fare, charges, etc., during such a period.

   If you fly during the Christmas holidays, you'll have to pay peak.

8. Physics.

   1. the maximum value of a quantity during a specified time interval.

      a voltage peak.

   2. the maximum power consumed or produced by a unit or group of units in a stated period of time.

9. a projecting point.

   the peak of a man's beard.

10. widow's peak.

11. a projecting front piece, or visor, of a cap.

12. Phonetics. nucleus.

13. Nautical.

    1. the contracted part of a ship's hull at the bow or the stern.

    2. the upper after corner of a sail that is extended by a gaff.

    3. the outer extremity of a gaff.

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verb (used without object)

1. to project in a peak.

2. to attain a peak of activity, development, popularity, etc..

   The artist peaked in the 1950s.

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical. to raise the after end of (a yard, gaff, etc.) to or toward an angle above the horizontal.

adjective

1. Also being at the point of maximum frequency, intensity, use, etc.; busiest or most active.

   Hotel rooms are most expensive during the peak travel seasons.

2. constituting the highest or maximum level, volume, etc.; optimal; prime.

   a machine running at peak performance.

3. being at the height of trendiness, public notice, etc.

   We have reached peak “exercise dress”—women are gravitating toward sporty, stretchy skort-dresses for everyday wear.

4. being the most perfect embodiment of something.

   Peak Gemini energy on display as our kid takes one lick off everyone’s cone, because she likes all the ice cream flavors.

peak British  

/ piːk /

noun

1. a pointed end, edge, or projection

   the peak of a roof

2. the pointed summit of a mountain

3. a mountain with a pointed summit

4. the point of greatest development, strength, etc

   the peak of his career

5. 1. a sharp increase in a physical quantity followed by a sharp decrease

      a voltage peak

   2. the maximum value of this quantity

   3. ( as modifier )

      peak voltage

6. Also called: visor.  a projecting piece on the front of some caps

7. 1. See widow's peak

   2. the pointed end of a beard

8. nautical

   1. the extreme forward ( forepeak ) or aft ( afterpeak ) part of the hull

   2. (of a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail) the after uppermost corner

   3. the after end of a gaff

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verb

1. (tr) nautical to set (a gaff) or tilt (oars) vertically

2. to form or reach or cause to form or reach a peak or maximum

adjective

1. of or relating to a period of highest use or demand, as for watching television, commuting, etc

   peak viewing hours

   peak time

Usage

What's the difference between peak, peek, and pique? The word peak refers to the top of a mountain or, more figuratively, to the highest point of something, as in the peak of my career. The word peek is most commonly used as a verb meaning to look at something quickly or sneakily and as a noun referring to such a look. The less frequently used word pique is most commonly used as a verb meaning to arouse or excite a particular feeling, as in Advertisements are designed to pique your interest.The confusion surrounding the three words—all three of which can be used as both a verb and a noun—is mainly due to the fact that they are all pronounced the same.Since peak and peek are so close in spelling, one way to tell them apart is to remember that peek has two e’s, which kind of look like two little eyes peeking out between the p and the k. Another way to remember this is that peek has two e’s like look has two o’s.To remember what pique means (and how to spell it), remember that the things that pique your interest or curiosity are often unique.Here’s an example of peak, peek, and pique used correctly in a sentence.Example: The image of the strange mountain peak on the cover was meant to pique your curiosity, and it worked—you picked up the magazine to peek inside.Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between peaked, peeked, and piqued.

Other Word Forms

• peakish adjective
• peakishly adverb
• peakishness noun
• peakless adjective
• peaklike adjective
• peaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of peak¹

First recorded in 1500–10; origin uncertain

Origin of peak¹

First recorded in 1520–30; late Middle English pek(e) “spike, pointed tip,” Old English pīc “point, pointed instrument, pike,” probably originally a variant of pike ² ( def. ); compare Middle Low German pēk, peek, peik “pick, pike”

Example Sentences

"In the Giro, he peaked at a moment when almost no-one expected him to be able to win anymore, which truly characterises him as a rider."

From BBC

The stock now trades 50% off its annual peak made on July 31.

From Barron's

That was a prudent pause after an enormous move of 275% from the April lows to the recent peak in mid October.

From Barron's

The stock now trades 50% off its annual peak made on July 31.

From Barron's

“You don’t look at the ifs, the what-could-be’s. You just come in, work, and take it a day at time. … Keep peaking week after week.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crest
• hill
• mountain
• pinnacle
• roof
• spike
• summit