Peak

Definition

Peak refers to the pointed top of a mountain or ridge, or the highest point or level of activity, quality, or achievement.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /piːk/
• Respelling: PEEK (with "PEEK" as in "seek")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /piːk/
• Respelling: PEEK (similar to American English, with "PEEK" as in "seek")

In both dialects, "peak" is pronounced with a single, stressed syllable. The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, emphasizing the clear articulation of the long "ee" sound.

Etymology

The word "peak" has its origins in the early 16th century, perhaps from or influenced by the Old French "pic" meaning "sharp point or peak," which itself comes from the Latin "picus" meaning "woodpecker."

Derivatives

• Peakiness
• Peaked
• Peaking
• Unpeaked
• Peakless

Synonyms

• Apex
• Summit
• Pinnacle

Antonyms

• Base
• Nadir
• Bottom

Usage

The term "peak" can refer to the highest point of a physical structure, like a mountain, or it can be used metaphorically to indicate the highest point of some kind of performance or activity.

Related Terms

• Crest
• Vertex
• Zenith
• Climax
• Height

Detailed Definition

Noun

• The pointed top of a mountain or hill.
• Example: "They finally reached the peak of Mount Everest."

• The highest or most important point or level.
• Example: "Her career reached its peak in the 1990s."

• A time when someone or something is at its best.
• Example: "The athlete was at his peak during the last season."

Verb

• To reach a highest point, either of a mountain or of some quantitative measure.
• Example: "His performance peaked just before he retired."

• To appear as a peak.
• Example: "The mountain peaks through the clouds."

Adjective

• Being of greatest intensity or activity.
  
• Example: "The trains are packed during the peak hours."