summit
noun
the highest point or part, as of a hill, a line of travel, or any object; top; apex.
summit
1 American
[suhm-it]
/ ˈsʌm ɪt /
noun
-
summits
plural
-
the highest point or part, as of a hill, a line of travel, or any object; top; apex.
- Antonyms:
- base
-
the highest point of attainment or aspiration.
the summit of one's ambition.
- Synonyms:
- culmination, zenith, acme
-
the highest state or degree.
- Synonyms:
- culmination, zenith, acme
-
the highest level of diplomatic or other governmental officials.
a meeting at the summit.
adjective
verb (used without object)
-
to take part in a summit meeting.
-
to reach a summit.
summited after a 14-hour climb.
verb (used with object)
Summit
2
American
[suhm-it]
/ ˈsʌm ɪt /
noun
-
a city in NE New Jersey.
-
a city in NE Illinois.
summit
British
/ ˈsʌmɪt /
noun
-
the highest point or part, esp of a mountain or line of communication; top
-
the highest possible degree or state; peak or climax
the summit of ambition
-
the highest level, importance, or rank
a meeting at the summit
-
-
a meeting of chiefs of governments or other high officials
-
( as modifier )
a summit conference
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of summit
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English somete, from Old French, from som “top” (from Latin summum, noun use of neuter of summus “highest”; see sum) + -ete -et
Explanation
What better place for the mountain-climbing summit than on the summit of the mountain. A summit can mean either a meeting between people who are interested in the same subject or the peak of the mountain. Although originally meant to describe a meeting between the heads of state, summit can be used to describe any gathering of people who care deeply about the same topic. If, for example, you are the captain of your chess club, you might attend the upcoming Chess Club Summit, at which new rules of the tournament will be discussed. Moreover, while summit also means the very top of a mountain, summit can be used metaphorically to mean a variety of heights, such as the summit of a career, an industry, or any kind of major effort.
Vocabulary lists containing summit
Higher Learning: Synonyms For "Up"
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 7
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The Contemporary Period, c. 1914 to the Present
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The i Paper leads with King Charles III's comments on slavery during his address at the Commonwealth leaders summit in Antigua and Barbuda.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
The three will potentially meet at a summit in China later this month.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
King Charles III called the transatlantic slave trade "a monstrous injustice" Tuesday, opening a Commonwealth summit in which UK leader Andy Burnham is holding talks about apologising for Britain's role in slavery.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
The Palace statement clarifying the King's non-political role in the Commonwealth comes as the organisation's leaders gather for a summit in Antigua and Barbuda.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
After they quickly reached the summit and then went up and over the hill, it was as if Duane had been launched into space.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
The 4-mile detour toward Sagehen Summit is worth your effort.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
The CEO Council Summit in San Francisco from Dec. 7-8 is the definitive gathering of global decision makers who are shaping the future of business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
On the eve of the first Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street on Monday, No 10 has indicated a further £432m will be added to the initiative in Wednesday's Budget.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
At the Somos Magic Summit, held Sept. 27-30, the dozens of creators in attendance had a combined follower count of more than 185 million.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
A radio show in Congo had discussed my appearance at the Women in the World Summit, and he had heard it in his village.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Deep, twisted canyons cut into the mountainsides, their channels lined with aspen, before the forests give way to the exposed granite slopes and summits rising above 14,000 feet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Kim hosted Xi in Pyongyang in June, soon after Xi held back-to-back summits in Beijing with Trump and Putin.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
President Xi Jinping's summits with Donald Trump have one clear aim.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
For most American presidents, summits, especially with powerful leaders, are carefully planned affairs.
From Slate ● Sep. 25, 2026
The icy summits of the highest mountain range in North America gleamed on the southwestern horizon.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
