Word
zenith
US/ˈzinəθ/
UK/zˈɛnɪθ/
Definitions
01highest point of success
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. the time when something is most successful or powerful.
n. the highest point or state; the culmination or peak of a career, era, or achievement.
“At the zenith of her career, she was the most famous singer in the world.”
“The empire reached its political and cultural zenith during the twelfth century, before internal conflicts led to its gradual decline.”
02astronomy
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. the point in the sky directly above you.
n. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given observer; the highest point reached by a celestial body.
“The sun reaches its zenith at midday, when it is highest in the sky.”
“The astronomer adjusted the telescope to observe the star as it passed through the zenith, ensuring the clearest possible view through the atmosphere.”
Usage
In technical contexts, it is the polar opposite of the 'nadir'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English cenyth, from Medieval Latin cenit, from Arabic سَمْت (samt, “direction, path”), from the fuller form سَمْت اَلرَّأْس (samt ar-raʔs, “direction of the head”). The -ni- for -m- is sometimes thought to be due to a misreading of the three strokes, which is plausible, though it could be a mere phonetic approximation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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