noun
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astronomy the point on the celestial sphere vertically above an observer
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the highest point; peak; acme
the zenith of someone's achievements
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The point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer (90 degrees above the celestial horizon).
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Compare nadir
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of zenith
1350–1400; Middle English cenith < Medieval Latin < Old Spanish zenit, scribal error for zemt < Arabic samt road, incorrectly read as senit by medieval scribes (compare Arabic samt ar-rās road above (over) one's head, the opposite of nadir )
Explanation
Zenith means the high point — it comes from astronomy, where it describes the highest point in an arc traveled by a star or a planet or another celestial body. The sun reaches its zenith when it is as high in the sky as it is going to go on that day. Zenith — and its opposite, nadir — have been appropriated by non-astronomers and are used to describe high and low points in non-astronomical contexts. For example, you can say that the high school quarterback hit his zenith in high school, and it was all downhill from there. Do yourself a favor and try to delay your zenith so you'll have something to look forward to in your future!
Vocabulary lists containing zenith
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Celestial Words To Mark The Winter Solstice
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The Alchemist
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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.
Hey Buzz, turn it to channel 4 ‘ — in the days of the big-ass Zenith that weighed seven tons.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2024
His unit was on the southern outskirts of Avdiivka, in a well-fortified position called Zenith, which has been on the front lines since Russia first attacked in 2014.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024
"They were the bravest ones," says Viktor Bilyak, a soldier from the 110th brigade who was in Zenith.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2024
The voice on the radio told him to get out of Zenith on their own, as sending a rescue team was too risky.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2024
It was hooked up to a 1977 Zenith Color TV.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
