Zenith
noun /ˈzen.ɪθ/ — The highest point; the peak of achievement or power
Definition
The point in the sky directly overhead — or figuratively, the highest point of achievement, power, or prosperity. The moment of maximum.
Beyond the definition
The word for the peak that is also a turning point. Once you name something the zenith, you have also named everything after it as decline.
Origin & history
From Arabic 'samt ar-ra's' (direction of the head), corrupted through Old Spanish into 'zenit'. The point directly above — the top of the sky.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The summer sun at its zenith cast no shadows.
At the zenith of her career, she walked away from all of it.
Zeniths are only recognisable in retrospect — you rarely know you're at the peak while you're standing in it.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Zenith” when the meaning fits your context: The point in the sky directly overhead — or figuratively, the highest point of achievement, power, or prosperity. The moment of maximum.
Synonyms
Antonyms
nadir, trough, low point
Related words
Zenith vs apogee
Zenith describes the highest point of success or achievement in a general sense. Apogee is often used technically for orbits but serves as a more precise synonym for a peak in development.
Questions about this word
What does "Zenith" mean?
Zenith is noun meaning: The highest point; the peak of achievement or power. The point in the sky directly overhead — or figuratively, the highest point of achievement, power, or prosperity. The moment of maximum.
Where does the word "Zenith" come from?
From Arabic 'samt ar-ra's' (direction of the head), corrupted through Old Spanish into 'zenit'. The point directly above — the top of the sky.