zenith

Everyday

1. (science) The point in the sky directly above your head. tree →
2. The highest point a heavenly body such as the Sun reaches in the sky. tree →
3. The time when something is most powerful or successful; the peak. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography lessons on the Sun, Moon and stars, the zenith is straight overhead; the opposite point, under your feet, is the nadir. Near the equator, the Sun can be at the zenith at noon on some days. In history, "at its zenith" means at its strongest: "The Roman Empire was at its zenith in the second century." Phrases: "at the zenith", "reach its zenith", "from zenith to nadir".

Examples

• At noon the Sun was almost at its zenith. tree →
• The zenith is the point in the sky right above your head. tree →
• The Roman Empire reached its zenith about 1,900 years ago. tree →
• At the zenith of her career, she won three gold medals. tree →
• The star climbed slowly towards the zenith. tree →
• The opposite of the zenith is the nadir. tree →
• It took the prince on its back and soared away to the zenith. tree →

Note

Usually "the zenith". Opposite: nadir (lowest point). Pronounced ZEN-ith (UK) or ZEE-nith (US). Myth trap: in the UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and most of Australia and the USA, the Sun is never exactly at the zenith; it only gets directly overhead between the tropics.