peak Hear it!

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
  4. the highest or utmost point of anything; height; maximum the peak of production
  5. Elec. the maximum value of a varying quantity during a specified period
  6. 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
  7. 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
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 Synonyms

peak

v.

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

peak Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • reach: Camborne reached the peak of its prosperity in the mid 1880s.
  • climb: Thirteen miles and climbing peaks and valleys of 200 feet.
  • trek: Near the summit On the Island Peak trek The Island Peak Trek is the most popular trekking peak in Nepal.

Adjective modifier

  • snow-capped: Awe-inspiring views of dramatic mountain passes and snow-capped peaks await at every turn.
  • jagged: The arc of jagged peaks rises steeply form the sea and dominates the skyline for miles around.
  • snowy: Looking south, you see the snowy peaks of a distant mountain.
  • 8,000m: Tackle the world's highest-rated rapids ( Grade Fives ) against a backdrop of 8,000m peaks.
  • spectral: The peaks arise because the denominator will approach zero at sinusoidal frequencies, resulting in exceedingly sharp spectral peaks.
  • volcanic: The Soufriere Hills are blanketed with rainforest and volcanic peaks.

Modifies a noun

  • torque: Peak torque is at 12,000rpm, but it doesn't drop off, giving a long, flexible spread of peak power.
  • season: Please allow extra time for delivery during peak wedding season.
  • meter: The peak flow meter measures how quickly you can breathe out.
  • concentration: With the syrup, mean peak plasma concentrations are attained within 2 hours.
  • voltage: The spark gap is firing when the capacitor is at its peak voltage, and delivers more power into the Tesla Coil system.
  • flow: The peak flow meter measures how quickly you can breathe out.

Noun used with modifier

  • mountain: Surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks I lay in a huge rock pool of steaming water.
  • granite: The massive granite peaks that greet you are mysterious and inviting at the same time.
  • morning: Increase of 29,000 bus passengers entering zone during morning peak.

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 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

Browse dictionary entries near peak

  1. peahen
  2. peage
  3. peag
  4. peafowls
  5. peafowl
  6. peacocky
  7. peacocks
  8. peacockish
  9. peacock ore
  10. peacock chair
  1. peak cell rate
  2. peaked
  3. peakedness
  4. peaky
  5. peal
  6. Peale
  7. pean
  8. peanut
  9. peanut butter
  10. peanut gallery