apex

¹ American  

[ey-peks] / ˈeɪ pɛks /

noun

PLURAL

apexes, apices

1. the tip, point, or vertex; summit.

2. climax; peak; acme.

   His election to the presidency was the apex of his career.

3. Astronomy.  solar apex.

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APEX ² American  

[ey-peks] / ˈeɪ pɛks /

noun

1. a type of international airfare offering reduced rates for extended stays that are booked in advance.

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apex ¹ British  

/ ˈeɪpɛks /

noun

1. the highest point; vertex

2. the pointed end or tip of something

3. a pinnacle or high point, as of a career, etc

4. Also called: solar apex.  astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, lying in the constellation Hercules, towards which the sun appears to move at a velocity of 20 kilometres per second relative to the nearest stars

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APEX ² British  

/ ˈeɪpɛks /

acronym

1. Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced airline or long-distance rail fare that must be paid a specified number of days in advance

2. (in Britain) Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical, and Computer Staff

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Etymology

Origin of apex¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1595–1605

Origin of APEX²

First recorded in 1970–75; A(dvance) P(urchase) Ex(cursion)

Example Sentences

Although it’s a relatively small number, it represents a stunning recovery for the apex predators, which were hunted and trapped into extinction in the 1920s.

From Los Angeles Times

"By fracturing the unity of the nation's apex court, it has crippled judicial independence and integrity, pushing the country back by decades."

From Barron's

There is an argument that Antonelli knew Piastri was on the inside, and would have been wise to give him more space, rather than cut in towards the apex so much and risk contact.

From BBC

But Piastri locked a wheel on the inside and the two cars collided at the apex.

From BBC

He’s a runt whose father tries to kill him to purge weakness from the clan of apex hunters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apogee
• culmination
• pinnacle