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peak1 definition

peak (pēk)

intransitive verb

to become sickly; waste away; droop

Etymology: < ?

peak2 definition

peak (pēk)

noun

  1. a tapering part that projects; pointed end or top, as of a cap, roof, etc.
  2. part of the hairline coming to a point on the forehead; widow's peak
  3. Rare a promontory
    1. the crest or summit of a hill or mountain ending in a point
    2. a mountain with such a pointed summit
  5. the highest or utmost point of anything; height; maximum the peak of production
  6. Elec. the maximum value of a varying quantity during a specified period
  7. Naut.
    1. the top, after corner of a gaff sail
    2. the upper end of the gaff
    3. the narrowed part of the hull, forward or aft
  8. Phonet. the most sonorous portion of a syllable

Etymology: var. of pike

adjective

maximum peak production

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to tilt up, as a spar or oar
  2. to come or cause to come to a peak; reach or bring to a high, or the highest, point

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business peak definition - business

peak Synonyms

peak

n.

  1. A mountain

    summit, top, crown; see hill, mountain 1.

  2. The maximum

    zenith, highest point, greatest quantity; see height 1, tip 1, top 1. See syn. study at summit.


peak

v.

top, top out, climax, rise, tower, crest; see also climax.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

peak Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • reach: Camborne reached the peak of its prosperity in the mid 1880s.

Adjective modifier

  • snow-capped: Awe-inspiring views of dramatic mountain passes and snow-capped peaks await at every turn.

Modifies a noun

  • torque: Peak torque is at 12,000rpm, but it doesn't drop off, giving a long, flexible spread of peak power.

Noun used with modifier

  • mountain: Surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks I lay in a huge rock pool of steaming water.

Preposition: in

  • Himalayas: The book itself chronicles the attempt by the French to climb an 8,000 meter peak in the Himalayas.

Preposition: of

  • Himalayas: Beside the peaks of the Himalayas, historical sites abound in India.
peak usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

peak quotes

I emerged at last, stumbled a few steps in the mud and then I saw it: an ethereal mountain emerging from a tossing sea of clouds framed between two dark barracksöa massive, blue-black tooth of sheer rock inlaid with azure glaciers, austere yet floating fairy-like on the near horizon. It was the first17,000-foot peak I had ever seen. I stood gazing until the vision disappeared among the shifting cloud banks. For hours afterwards I remained spell-bound. I had definitely fallen in love.

-Benuzzi, Felice

Then felt I like some watcher of the skies When a new planet swims into his ken; Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes He star'd at the Pacificöand all his men Look'd at each other with a wild surmiseö Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

-Keats,John

peak quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"peak." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/peak>

APA Style

peak. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/peak

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