zenith

American  

[zee-nith, zen-ith] / ˈzi nɪθ, ˈzɛn ɪθ /

noun

1. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer.

   Antonyms:

   nadir

2. a highest point or state; culmination.

   Synonyms:

   summit , apex

   Antonyms:

   nadir

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zenith British  

/ ˈziːnɪθ, ˈzɛnɪθ /

noun

1. astronomy the point on the celestial sphere vertically above an observer

2. the highest point; peak; acme

   the zenith of someone's achievements

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zenith Scientific  

/ zē′nĭth /

1. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer (90 degrees above the celestial horizon).

2. Compare nadir

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Other Word Forms

• zenithal adjective

Etymology

Origin of zenith

1350–1400; Middle English cenith < Medieval Latin < Old Spanish zenit, scribal error for zemt < Arabic samt road, incorrectly read as senit by medieval scribes (compare Arabic samt ar-rās road above (over) one's head, the opposite of nadir )

Example Sentences

Slowly but surely, these conservatives accumulated influence and allies, and they finally reached the zenith of their political power with Reagan’s 1980 election as president.

From Salon

The growth of the Polish military has reached a zenith just as Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates his standoff with the West.

From The Wall Street Journal

The operation reached a controversial zenith in July when scores of troops on horseback wearing tactical gear and driving armored vehicles, rolled through MacArthur Park.

From Los Angeles Times

All of which is to say, call “it” what you will — fascism; right-wing authoritarianism; the logical zenith of 21st century American conservatism — it has already happened here.

From Salon

As slavery reached the zenith of its power, abolitionists would destroy the white consensus upon which it depended.

From Salon