TOP | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

late Old English topp (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch top ‘summit, crest’

the highest or uppermost point, part, or surface of something

highest or uppermost point, part

• Doreen stood at the top of the stairs
• fill the cup almost to the top
• the springy turf of the clifftop

a lid, cover, or cap

lid or cap

• beer bottle tops
• he removed the top from his ballpoint

the highest or most important rank, level, or position

highest or most important rank or position

• her talent will take her right to the top
• the people at the top must be competent

a garment covering the upper part of the body and worn with a skirt, trousers, or shorts

garment covering upper part of body and worn with skirt

• he was wearing a hooded top
• she bought a couple of new tops

the end of something that is furthest from the speaker or a point of reference

end of something that is furthest from speaker or point of reference

• the bus shelter at the top of the road

a bundle of long wool fibres prepared for spinning.

bundle of long wool fibres prepared for spinning

a man who takes the active role in anal intercourse with another man.

male who takes active role in anal intercourse

highest in position, rank, or degree

highest in position or degree

• the top button of his shirt
• a top executive
• the car has a top speed of 125 mph
• improving quality became the top priority

denoting a flavour (variety) of unstable quark having an electric charge of +2/3. Top quarks have similar properties to up quarks and charm quarks, but are distinguished from them by having a larger mass.

one of six flavours of quark

exceed (an amount, level, or number); be more than

exceed

• losses are expected to top £100 m this year

provide with a top or topping

provide with top or topping

• toast topped with baked beans

reach the top of (a hill or other elevation)

reach top of

• they topped a rise and began a slow descent

kill

kill

• I wasn't sorry when he topped himself

mishit (the ball or a stroke) by hitting above the centre of the ball

mishit ball or stroke by hitting above centre of ball

• he topped his drive on the fifth hole
• sliced and topped shots

at the most

at most

• some civil servant earning twenty-eight thousand a year, tops