top

plural tops

1. countableuncountableThe highest or uppermost part of something.

   His kite got caught at the top of the tree.

   1 more example

   But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. […]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old mare feeding in the meadow below by the brook,[…].

   1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

   1. countableuncountableirrespective of present orientationThe part of something that is usually highest or uppermost.

      We flipped the machine onto its top.

      1 more example

      To mount the V8, I simply placed it on its top, and then prepped the mobo/CPU for installation (applied thermal compound).

      2013 March 20, Dewayne Carel, “Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), archived from the original on 20 Nov 2018

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

   2. countableuncountableThe uppermost part of a page, picture, viewing screen, etc.

      Headings appear at the tops of pages.

      1 more example

      Further weather information can be found at the top of your television screen.

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap, head · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside, foot

   3. countableuncountableA lid, cap, or cover of a container.

      Put a top on the toothpaste tube or it will go bad.

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap, cap, coverlid · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

   4. countableuncountableA garment worn to cover the torso.

      I like this pyjama top.

      1 more example

      I bought this top as it matches my jeans.

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside, bottom

   5. countableuncountableA framework at the top of a ship's mast to which rigging is attached.

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

   6. countableuncountableball gamesThe first half of an inning, during which the home team fields and the visiting team bats.

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

   7. archaiccountableuncountableThe crown of the head, or the hair upon it; the head.

      All the stored vengeances of Heaven fall / On her ungrateful top!

      c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

      1 more example

      Like glauncing light of Phoebus brightest ray; From top to toe no place appeared bare

      1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 39

      Synonyms: peak, summit, overside, cap · Antonyms: bottom, base, underside

2. countableuncountableThe near end of somewhere.

   The shop is at the top of my street.

   1 more example

   The patio is at the top of my garden.

3. countableuncountableA child's spinning toy; a spinning top.

   The boy was amazed at how long the top would spin.

4. Someone who is eminent.
   1. archaiccountableuncountableThe chief person; the most prominent one.

      to be the top of zealots

      1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC

   2. countableuncountableThe highest rank; the most honourable position; the utmost attainable place.

      to be at the top of one's class, or at the top of the school

      3 more examples

      And wears upon his baby brow the round / And top of sovereignty.

      c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

      After drawing their first game in Kiev the Potters are now top of Europa League Group E ahead of back-to-back games with Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

      2011 September 29, Tom Rostance, “Stoke 2-1 Besiktas”, in BBC Sport

      The criticism came from the very top of Australian politics, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggesting Thursday that Jones should try her luck with another Australian animal that was more likely to put up a fight.

      2025 March 13, Hilary Whiteman, “US tourist filmed running off with baby wombat flees Australia after visa threat”, in CNN

5. countableuncountablebusinessA peak price of a security during a trading period, before it begins a downward trend.

   the daily average price of packer and shipper purchases ranging between $14 and $16. Beginning with the middle of September prices moved sharply upward until a top of $18.25 was reached during the week of Sept. 25. From this high point prices moved downward sharply […]

   1921, The Market Reporter, volumes 3-4, United States. Bureau of Markets and Crop Estimates, page 22

6. countableuncountableBDSMA dominant partner in a sadomasochistic relationship or roleplay.

   As I went on doing s/m more and more, I found the idea of topping real attractive and so I started to do that. At this point in my life I'm playing top almost all the time.

   1981 August 15, Nancy Wechsler, “Sadomasochism: Fears, Facts, Fantasies”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 5, page 8

   Synonyms: dom, dominant, domme, dominatrix

   1. broadlycountableuncountableBDSMA dominant partner in a sexual relationship.

      Synonyms: dom, dominant, domme, dominatrix

7. countableuncountableLGBTQ slangA person who penetrates or has a preference for penetrating during intercourse.

   I prefer being a top, and my boyfriend prefers being a bottom.

   1 more example

   Jean-Alain is a man of great physical strength, and Jesse is sure he is quite a handful for his tops.

   2020, Paul Mendez, Rainbow Milk, Dialogue Books (2021), page 336

   Synonyms: pitcher

8. Multicultural London EnglishcountableslanguncountablevulgarAfrican-American VernacularFellatio; a blowjob.

   His bitch gave me some top, and now he wanna send me threats

   2019 March 19, Nav, “Price on My Head”, in Bad Habits

   5 more examples

   Running up a check, I'ma drop the top Baby gimme neck, you know I want some top You ain't tryna fuck, then baby don't just stop

   2016 November 18, J $tash, “Guap”, in No More Distractions

   I get some top in my coupe […] Look at yo bitch she gon' choose She gon' give me top (on my block Avenue)

   2017, Juice Wrld, “2017 Freestyle”, in Unreleased Songs

   I just bought a new Ferrari off the lot, said she a virgin but she wanna give me top, she need some money so she call my phone a lot, I picked it up and then I told that bitch to stop.

   2017, T-Wayne, “Double Standards” (track 2, 0:42–0:55 from the start), in Forever Rickey

   Man chingy chingy on opps, catch ringy ringy, want lots And clingy, clingy, got dots She is a bad b, she gives tops

   2017 December 22, “No Hook”, performed by 61 – Cee Drilla x Beans x Nz x Ruger, 0:53–1:00

   I like gettin' top (Ooh), I like drivin' coupes […] Yeah I got Erza Scarlet tryna fuck (Yeah, ooh) Gettin' top and watching Crunchyroll

   2019 November 20, Oliver Francis, “I Like”, in The Adventures Of Oliver Francis

   Synonyms: brain, dome, head, mouth music, neck, Kirk

9. countableparticleuncountablenatural sciencesA top quark.
10. countableuncountableThe utmost degree; the acme; the summit.

    June 18 1714, Alexander Pope, letter to Jonathan Swift The top of my own ambition is to contribute to that work.

11. countableuncountableartsA plug or conical block of wood with longitudinal grooves on its surface, in which the strands of the rope slide in the process of twisting.
12. countableuncountablesoundHighest pitch or loudest volume.

    She sang at the top of her voice.

    1 more example

    I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. […] The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan.

    1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC

13. countableuncountablewool manufactureA bundle or ball of slivers of combed wool, from which the noils, or dust, have been taken out.

    Most cotton is sold as top, requiring only predrafting prior to spinning.

    2014, W. J. Johnson, Yarn Works: How to Spin, Dye, and Knit Your Own Yarn, page 32

14. countableobsoleteuncountableexcept in one sense of phrase on top ofEve; verge; point.

    Hee was upon the top of his marriage with Magdalaine.

    1603, Richard Knolles, The Generall Historie of the Turkes, […], London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC

15. countableuncountableThe part of a cut gem between the girdle, or circumference, and the table, or flat upper surface.
16. countabledatedin pluralslanguncountableTopboots.

    There was one pair of boots in particular — a jolly, good-tempered, hearty-looking, pair of tops, that excited our warmest regard

    1836, “Boz” [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], Sketches by “Boz,” Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Macrone, […], →OCLC

17. countableuncountableball gamesA stroke on the top of the ball.
18. countableuncountableball gamesA forward spin given to the ball by hitting it on or near the top; topspin.

    What is wanted is just the reverse - i.e top or overspin, which causes the ball to revolve in the direction in which it is going.

    1886, E.T.Sachs, The Boys Own Annual: Lawn-Tennis of the Present, volume 9, page 778

19. countableuncountablepreceded by a number(A table at which there is, or which has enough seats for) a group of a specified number of people eating at a restaurant.

    […] but with only three other tables on the patio apart from myself – two three-tops and a five-top – it's hard to imagine what the holdup is.

    2014, Jamey Glasnovic, Lost and Found: Adrift in the Canadian Rockies, →ISBN, page 144

    1 more example

    It is uncanny how a server can stand in front of a ten top, without the safety net of pen and paper, and remember every item ordered by each guest including salads, […]

    2015, Jeff Benjamin, Front of the House: Restaurant Manners, Misbehaviors & Secrets, →ISBN

20. abbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of topswarm.

    My first topswarm came off on the 25th June, and a second top on the day following; both were put into skeps of one size, and appeared to be equal as regards the number of Bees.

    1866, The Scottish Gardener, page 397

21. countableuncountablegovernmentThe First Sergeant or Master Sergeant (U.S. Marine Corps), senior enlisted man at company level.
22. Philippinescountableplural normallyuncountablea shoot (eaten as a vegetable).

present singular third person tops · participle present topping · participle past topped · past topped

1. To cover on the top or with a top.

   I like my ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.

2. To exceed in height.

   Five were proper slender youths, the eldest of whom had not yet beard full grown, black-browed and great of jaw; the sixth, huge as a neat, topped them by half a head.

   1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 17

3. To excel, to surpass, to beat, to exceed.

   Titanic was the most successful film ever until it was topped by another Cameron film, Avatar.

   3 more examples

   Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, / And my invention thrive, Edmund the base / Shall top th' legitimate. I grow; I prosper

   c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]

   Within months, sales of ONE magazine were topping 2,000 copies.

   2005 August 23, Leslie Feinberg, “Headwaters of first mass political gay movement rise”, in Workers World

   The HSDT team, however, had some work to do, although by the end of 1972 the power car interior had been adjusted and BR had agreed to 'double-manning' with extra pay when speeds topped the ton. [exceeded 100 mph]

   2021 October 6, Greg Morse, “A need for speed and the drive for 125”, in RAIL, number 941, page 50

   Synonyms: beat, better, best, exceed, bear away the bell, best, better, overtake

4. To be in the lead, to be at number one position (of).

   Celine Dion topped the UK music charts twice in the 1990s.

   1 more example

   Liverpool topped the table on Christmas Day and, after Arsenal's win at West Ham earlier on Boxing Day, would have returned to the top had they been the first team to beat City at home this season.

   2013 December 26, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport

5. To cut or remove the top (as of a tree)

   Top and tail the carrots.

   2 more examples

   I don't want to be bald, so just top my hair.

   Topping depletes the tree of stored energy reserves and reduces the tree's ability to produce energy, as a large percentage of the leaves are removed.

   2003, Dan Prendergast, Erin Prendergast, The Tree Doctor: A Guide to Tree Care and Maintenance, →ISBN, page 78

6. AustraliaUKreflexiveslangTo commit suicide.

   Depression causes many people to top themselves.

7. AustraliaUKarchaicrareslangTo murder or execute.

   Thirty-six were cast for death, and only one was ‘topped’ (hanged), the very one that expected to be ‘turned up’ (acquitted) for highway robbery.

   1851, Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, published 1861

   Synonyms: kill, murder, slaughter, slay, annihilate, bag, baptize, bereave of life

8. BDSMTo be the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or roleplay.

   I used to be a slave, but I ended up topping.

   2 more examples

   Giving advice to the dominant partner on how to run the BDSM session is called "topping from the bottom".

   As I went on doing s/m more and more, I found the idea of topping real attractive and so I started to do that. At this point in my life I'm playing top almost all the time.

   1981 August 15, Nancy Wechsler, “Sadomasochism: Fears, Facts, Fantasies”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 5, page 8

9. intransitivetransitiveLGBTQ slangTo penetrate during sexual intercourse.
10. archaicTo rise aloft; to be eminent; to tower.

    topping passions

    2 more examples

    lofty and topping mountains

    1713, W[illiam] Derham, Physico-Theology: Or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, from His Works of Creation. […], London: […] W[illiam] Innys, […], →OCLC

    , Book II, Chapter XXI influenced by that topping uneasiness

11. archaicTo excel; to rise above others.
12. nauticalTo raise one end of (a yard, etc.), making it higher than the other.
13. businessTo cover with another dye.

    to top aniline black with methyl violet to prevent greening

14. To put a stiffening piece or back on (a saw blade).
15. datedslangTo arrange (fruit, etc.) with the best on top.
16. To strike the top of (an obstacle) with the hind feet while jumping, so as to gain new impetus.
17. To improve (domestic animals, especially sheep) by crossing certain individuals or breeds with other superior breeds.
18. To cut, break, or otherwise take off the top of (a steel ingot) to remove unsound metal.
19. golfTo strike (the ball) above the centre; also, to make (a stroke, etc.) by hitting the ball in this way.

1. not comparableSituated on the top of something.
2. informalnot comparableBest; of the highest quality, fame or rank.

   She's in the top dance school.

3. informalnot comparableVery good, of high quality, power, or rank.

   He's a top lawyer.

   2 more examples

   That is a top car.

   In a thread called “Calm Before the Storm”, and in subsequent posts, Q established his legend as a government insider with top security clearance who knew the truth about a secret struggle for power involving Donald Trump, the “deep state”, Robert Mueller, the Clintons, pedophile rings, and other stuff.

   2018 July 31, Julia Carrie Wong, “What is QAnon? Explaining the bizarre rightwing conspiracy theory”, in The Guardian

4. not comparableRelating to the chest or breasts.

   top surgery

1. not comparableBest, highest.

   This is the top-performing school in the area.

   1 more example

   Our product is top-rated on all major platforms.

   Synonyms: first

1. obsoleteThe signal among tailors and seamstresses for snuffing the candle. The last of them to cry "top" had to snuff the candle.

   "Well," replied Davie, […] "a wilful woman must have her way like any man — and I doubt your patience is sorely tried, Barbara — Top!" This last expression, which may seem rather irrelevant, had direct reference to the wick of the candle, which required snuffing […]

   1879, Jacob Thompson (jun.), Eldmuir (page 21)

   1 more example

   My hairs, you perceive, are grown grey in following our sublime trade: full many a time have I cried top in the winter, the first of all the gentlemen on the board; and many a time has it fallen to my lot to apply the snuffers, and take off the filthy excrescence from the candle myself, but never before, in the experience of fifty long years, was it thought that English tailors were inferior to foreign ones.

   1819, New Bon Ton Magazine; Or, Telescope of the Times, page 93

plural Tops

1. A surname.