: a platform surrounding the head of a lower mast that serves to spread the topmast rigging, strengthen the mast, and furnish a standing place for men aloft
b
: a comparable part of the superstructure
especially: such a part on a warship used as a fire-control station or antiaircraft gun platform
8
: a forward spin given to a ball (as in golf or billiards) by striking it on or near the top or above the center
also: the stroke so given
9
: a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 175 GeV
Adjective They live on the top floor of the building. the top news story of the day the country's top three car manufacturers He is among the top pitchers of the league. Safety is our top concern. The winner showed top form. Houses are selling at top prices. What is the car's top speed? Verb Donations are expected to top $1,000,000 by the end of the month. The song has topped the charts for seven weeks. They topped the other company's offer. She tops everyone else on the team. I've seen some pretty weird things in my life—but that tops everything! See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zopf tip, tuft of hair
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English
Combining form
Greek, from topos
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)