Word
crest
US/ˈkɹɛst/
UK/kɹˈɛst/
Definitions
01top of a hill or wave
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the highest part of a hill, a mountain, or a wave.
n. the summit or ridge of a mountain, hill, or wave.
“The hikers finally reached the crest of the hill and looked down at the valley.”
“As the storm intensified, the white foam at the crest of each wave was whipped away by the gale-force winds.”
02symbol or logo
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a special design or picture that represents a family, a school, or a sports team.
n. a heraldic device or institutional emblem, often appearing on letterheads, uniforms, or shields.
“The school's crest was sewn onto the pocket of every student's blazer.”
“The family crest, featuring a golden lion and two crossed swords, was prominently engraved above the manor's stone fireplace.”
03animal's head growth
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. a growth of feathers, fur, or skin on the top of an animal's head.
n. a tuft of feathers, bone, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal.
“The male bird has a bright red crest that it shows off to attract a mate.”
“The cockatoo raised its yellow crest in a display of agitation when the researchers approached the enclosure.”
04to reach the top
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to reach the highest point of a hill or a wave.
v. to reach the summit of a topographical feature or the highest level of a rising liquid.
“The river is expected to crest tomorrow morning before the water level starts to drop.”
“Just as the sun began to crest the horizon, the lead climbers touched the final ridge of the massif.”
Real-World Examples
“Police cars blocked off a section of the road where waves were cresting several metres into the air, raining sea water down onto cars.” Etymology
From Middle English creste, from Old French creste (modern French crête) and perhaps continuing Old English cræsta (“crest, tuft, plume”); both ultimately from Vulgar Latin *cresta, from Latin crista. Doublet of crista. The informal meaning “design, logo” (noun sense 11) stems from a misinterpretation of the heraldic noun sense 4, which specifically refers to the object placed on top of the helm.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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