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The Britannica Dictionary top 44 ENTRIES FOUND:

• top (noun)
• top (adjective)
• top (noun)
• top (verb)
• top–down (adjective)
• top–end (adjective)
• top–heavy (adjective)
• top–level (adjective)
• top–notch (adjective)
• top–of–the–line (adjective)
• topping (noun)
• top–ranking (adjective)
• tops (adjective)
• tops (adverb)
• top–shelf (adjective)
• top–up (noun)
• top banana (noun)
• top brass (noun)
• top dog (noun)
• top dollar (noun)
• Top 40 (noun)
• top gear (noun)
• top gun (noun)
• top hat (noun)
• top secret (adjective)
• big top (noun)
• high–top (adjective)
• over–the–top (adjective)
• pop–top (noun)
• screw–top (adjective)
• set–top box (noun)
• soft–top (noun)
• tank top (noun)
• tip–top (noun)
• tip–top (adjective)
• tube top (noun)
• blow (verb)
• bottom (noun)
• head (noun)
• heap (noun)
• pile (noun)
• toe (noun)
• tree (noun)
• world (noun)

1 top /ˈtɑːp/ noun plural tops 1 top /ˈtɑːp/ noun plural tops Britannica Dictionary definition of TOP 1 [count] : the highest part, point, or level of something

• The tops of the walls are painted and the bottoms are covered in wood paneling.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — usually singular

• He was calling down from the top of the stairs.
• Please write your name on the top of the page.
• She climbed to the top of the mountain.
• She had a scratch on the top of her foot.
• He filled the glass to the top.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [count] : an upper surface or edge of something

• a table with a glass top

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also cooktop, countertop, desktop, tabletop 3 [count] : something that covers the upper part or opening of something

• I'm looking for a pen with a red top. [=cap]
• She took the top [=lid] off the jar.
• The box's top had been removed.
• I hate it when you leave the top off the toothpaste!

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [noncount] : the highest position in rank, success, or importance

• He is at the top of his profession.
• The company's new CEO started at the bottom and worked her way to the top.
• employees at the top of the pay scale
• The team is at the top of the league.
• He graduated at the top of his/the class. [=his grades were among the highest in his class]
• The order came straight from the top. [=from the person with the most authority or power]
• Studying for the test is on the top of my list. [=it is the first and most important thing that I need to do]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [count] : a piece of clothing that is worn on the upper part of your body

• She was wearing a blue silk top and black pants.
• a bikini top

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also tank top 6 [noncount] informal : the beginning

• We'll have another news update for you at the top of the hour. [=at the start of the next hour]
• Let's rehearse the scene from the top.
• OK, everybody. Let's take it from the top. [=start from the beginning of a scene, song, etc.]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 7 [noncount] : the first half of an inning in baseball

• the top of the sixth inning

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 8 [noncount] chiefly British : the part of something (such as a street) that is farthest away

• Try the shop at the top of the road.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 9 [noncount] chiefly British : the highest gear of a vehicle

• She shifted into top once she got on the highway.

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at the top of the heap

— see 1heap

at the top of the pile

— see 1pile

at the top of your voice/lungs

: in the loudest way possible

• She sang at the top of her voice.
• They were shouting at the top of their lungs.

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blow your top

— see 1blow

come out on top

: to win a competition, argument, etc.

• He's confident that he'll come out on top when all the votes have been counted.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

from top to bottom

: in a very thorough way

• We cleaned/searched the house from top to bottom.

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from top to toe

: from your head to your feet

• They were covered from top to toe [=(more commonly) from head to toe] in mud.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

off the top of your head

informal : immediately by thinking quickly about something

• Off the top of my head, I can think of three people who might be interested.
• I can't remember her name off the top of my head.

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on top

1 : on the highest part or surface of something

• He gave us vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce on top.
• We finished decorating our Christmas tree by putting a star on top.
• She picked the card on top.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 chiefly British : winning a game or competition

• The team was on top [=in front, ahead] after the first half.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also come out on top (above)

on top of

1 : on the highest or upper part of (something or someone)

• The house sits on top of a hill.
• Put the card back on top of the deck.
• Books and papers were piled on top of each other.
• I fell to the ground and the dog jumped on top of me.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : in control of (something) : doing the things that are needed to deal with (something)

• You can count on them to be on top of things when problems develop.
• “Can you get this done by next week?” “Don't worry. I'm on top of it.”
• She's not on top of her game this morning. [=she is not performing well this morning]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 : aware of what is happening in (a particular area of activity)

• She tries to keep/stay on top of current events.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 : very close to or near (someone or something)

• The deadline was on top of them before they knew it.
• The houses are built right on top of each other.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 : in addition to (something)

• You owe me $20, and that's on top of the $40 you owe me from earlier.
• On top of everything else, he lost his job.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 ◊ In British English, if something gets on top of you, it becomes too difficult for you to handle or deal with.

• Planning their wedding was starting to get on top of them.

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on top of the world

informal : in a very successful or happy state

• I had just gotten married and felt like I was on top of the world.

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over the top

informal : beyond what is expected, usual, normal, or appropriate : very wild or strange often in an amusing way

• His performances are always over the top. [=(Brit) OTT]

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top of the tree

British, informal : the most powerful or most successful position in a profession, organization, etc.

• She is still (at/on the) top of the tree in her field. [=she's still at the top in her field]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also big top 2 top /ˈtɑːp/ adjective 2 top /ˈtɑːp/ adjective Britannica Dictionary definition of TOP usually used before a noun 1 : located at the highest part or position

• the top drawer/shelf
• They live on the top floor of the building.
• That's my husband in the top [=upper] right-hand corner of the picture.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : highest in rank, success, or importance

• the top news story of the day
• the country's top three car manufacturers
• He is among the top pitchers of the league.
• She is the top student in her class. = (chiefly Brit) She is top in her class.
• Safety is our top concern/priority.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 : highest in quality, amount, or degree

• The winner showed top form.
• Houses are selling at top prices.
• What is the car's top speed?

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 top /ˈtɑːp/ noun plural tops 3 top /ˈtɑːp/ noun plural tops Britannica Dictionary definition of TOP [count] : a child's toy that can be made to spin very quickly

• spinning like a top

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 1top 4 top /ˈtɑːp/ verb tops; topped; topping 4 top /ˈtɑːp/ verb tops; topped; topping Britannica Dictionary definition of TOP [+ object] 1 : to be or become more than (a particular amount)

• Album sales have already topped [=exceeded] 500,000.
• Donations are expected to top $1,000,000 by the end of the month.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to be in the highest position on (a list) because of success

• The song has topped the charts for seven weeks.
• Who tops the list this year for Hollywood's highest-paid actor? [=who is the highest-paid actor in Hollywood this year?]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 : to do or be better than (someone or something)

• He topped [=surpassed] his previous record.
• They topped the other company's offer.
• She tops everyone else on the team.
• Being at the beach sure tops [=beats] working in the office.
• I've seen some pretty weird things in my life—but that tops everything!

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 : to cover or form the top of (something)

• A fresh layer of snow topped the mountains.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + with

• She topped the pizza with cheese and mushrooms.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used as (be) topped

• a cup of hot chocolate topped (off) with whip cream
• The cathedral was topped (off/out) with a spire.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 : to cut off the top of (something)

• He topped the tree/carrots.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 literary : to reach the top of (something)

• When we topped the hill, we saw a small village in the valley.

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top off

[phrasal verb] 1 top off (something) or top (something) off : to end (something) usually in an exciting or impressive way

• We topped off dinner with dessert and coffee.
• The band topped off the show with an extended version of their classic hit.
• The victory tops off the coach's extremely successful career.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 US : to fill (something) completely with a liquid

• I added a little more coffee to top off the mug.
• He stopped at the gas station to top off [=(Brit) top up] the car's tank. [=to fill the car's tank with gas]

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top out

[phrasal verb] : to reach the highest amount or level and stop increasing — often + at

• Interest rates are expected to top out at 15 percent.

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top up

[phrasal verb] 1 top up (something) or top (something) up British : to fill (something) completely with a liquid

• He topped up [=(US) topped off] (the glasses of) his guests.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to bring (something) to the full or desired amount

• The store keeps its fruits and vegetables topped up.
• She works part-time to top up her income.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also top-up

top yourself

British, informal : to kill yourself

to top it (all) off

(US) or chiefly British to top it all — used to indicate a final thing that happened that was even better, worse, etc., than what happened before

• The car was filthy when she returned it to me, and to top it (all) off, there was almost no gas left in the tank.

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