What does "apex" mean?
The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.
Apex
/ˈeɪ.pɛks/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.
- Grammar: apex is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: acme, climax, culmination, peak.
- Useful contrasts: catalan base, danish grund, swedish grund.
- Usage evidence: The polar bear is the apex predator of the Arctic.
How to use "apex"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apex" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apex" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apex" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apex" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apex" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acme" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apex", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.
"the apex of the building"
- 2 Acronym of advance purchase excursion (an air fare). abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 3 the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars wordnet
- 4 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The highest point in a plane or solid figure, relative to a base line or plane.
- 5 Acronym of accelerated peritoneal equilibration examination. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
Show 17 more definitions
- 6 the highest point (of something) wordnet
- 7 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The pointed fine end of something.; The lowest part of the human heart.
"B.P. 118/68. Grade I diastolic murmur best heard over apex. Patient well and had no complaints referable to heart. Origin of the diastolic murmur is open to conjecture."
- 8 Acronym of acetone peroxide. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
- 9 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The pointed fine end of something.; The deepest part of a tooth's root.
- 10 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The end of a leaf, petal or similar organ opposed to the end where it is attached to its support.
- 11 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The growing point of a shoot.
- 12 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The point on the celestial sphere toward which the Sun appears to move relative to nearby stars.
- 13 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The lowest point on a pendant drop of a liquid.
- 14 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The end or edge of a vein nearest the surface. US
- 15 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; A diacritic in Classical Latin that resembles and gave rise to the acute.
- 16 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; A diacritic in Middle Vietnamese that indicates /ŋ͡m/.
- 17 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; A sharp upward point formed by two strokes that meet at an acute angle, as in "W", uppercase "A", and closed-top "4", or by a tapered stroke, as in lowercase "t".
- 18 The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point.; The part of a corner where the racing line is nearest the inside of the bend.
- 19 An obstacle for a horse to jump over, consisting of a triangular corner fence.
- 20 The moment of greatest success, expansion, etc. figuratively
"the apex of civilization"
- 21 The top of the food chain. attributive
- 22 A conical priest cap.
Proper Noun
- 1 Acronym of Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff. British, abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
Antonyms
Example
"The polar bear is the apex predator of the Arctic."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apex"?
Common synonyms include: acme, climax, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit.
How do you use "apex" in a sentence?
The polar bear is the apex predator of the Arctic.
How do you pronounce "apex"?
Pronounced /ˈeɪ.pɛks/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin apex (“point, tip, summit”).