Zenith: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe the highest point or state of something, often indicating its peak success or power. It has a literary or poetic tone.

• His career reached its zenith when he won the Nobel Prize

Describes the highest or most intense point of something. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in sports and performance.

• The athlete was at his peak during the Olympics

Can refer to the top of a mountain or the highest level of achievement. In a figurative sense, it's often used to describe high-level meetings or discussions.

• The leaders met at the summit to discuss global issues

Refers to the highest point or culminating point of something. It's often used in a figurative sense and carries a formal tone.

• At the apex of her influence, she chaired several important committees

Zenith refers to the peak or the highest point of something. It's often used in a more formal or astronomical sense, indicating the peak of an event or career.

• At the zenith of his career, he was celebrated all over the world.
• The sun will reach its zenith at noon.

Pinnacle is often used to describe the peak of success or fame, especially in a positive and grand sense. It can also refer literally to a high, pointed piece of rock.

• Winning the Nobel Prize was the pinnacle of her career.
• They climbed to the pinnacle of the mountain.

Culmination implies the final, most important point of something after a long period of development or effort. It is often used in contexts involving progress or processes.

• Their marriage was the culmination of years of friendship.
• This award is the culmination of his years of dedication to the arts.

Acme is used to describe the highest point of achievement or development, often in a very specific or technical field.

• This novel is considered the acme of her literary career.
• The acme of his engineering skills was showcased in this project.

Use this word to describe the highest or most successful point in time for something, often in a metaphorical or figurative sense.

• At the zenith of his career, he was the most sought-after actor in Hollywood.
• The company reached its zenith in the 1990s before beginning to decline.

This phrase is often used in a more specific or technical context, such as science or astronomy, to describe the exact highest point directly above an observer.

• During the solar eclipse, the sun reached its zenith point, casting the smallest shadow.
• Astronomers measure the zenith point to determine the position of celestial bodies.

This term is rarely used in everyday speech and is typically employed in technical or academic contexts, such as in meteorology or astronomy.

• The zenithal point is crucial for calculating the angle of the sun's rays during a study of solar radiation.
• In meteorology, the zenithal point helps in understanding the intensity of solar insolation on Earth's surface.