Top 40

American  

[top fawr-tee] / ˈtɒp ˈfɔr ti /

Or Top Forty,

plural noun

1. (sometimes lowercase) the 40 most popular or best-selling recordings, songs, etc., within a stated time period.

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adjective

1. pertaining to, designating, or being the Top 40.

Example Sentences

They later broke into the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart with Fly Girl, which featured a rare guest appearance from US rapper Missy Elliot.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The Zutons released three studio albums between 2004 and 2008, and celebrated nine UK Top 40 singles.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Top 40 programming pumped through AM radios in affordable cars helped midwife rock ’n’ roll: A new youth-driven pop culture, powered by television, teenage spending and a rapidly transforming media landscape.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

But for those who can supplement “On the Altar” with their own awareness of sacrifice, whether from Sunday school or Top 40 playlists, their encounter with this formidable book will be richly rewarded.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

His album didn’t take off because he couldn’t get his first single played on Top 40 radio.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell