the upper part of anything
"the mower cuts off the tops of the grass"
"the title should be written at the top of the first page"
the highest or uppermost side of anything
"put your books on top of the desk"
"only the top side of the box was painted"
the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat
"a relief pitcher took over in the top of the fifth"
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
"his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty"
"the artist's gifts are at their acme"
"at the height of her career"
"the peak of perfection"
"summer was at its peak"
"...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame"
"the summit of his ambition"
"so many highest superlatives achieved by man"
"at the top of his profession"
platform surrounding the head of a lower mast
"The sailor carefully climbed the shrouds to reach the top, where he secured the lines around the base of the upper mast before hoisting the sail."
a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin
"he got a bright red top and string for his birthday"
a garment (especially for women) that extends from the shoulders to the waist or hips
"he stared as she buttoned her top"
a canvas tent to house the audience at a circus performance
"he was afraid of a fire in the circus tent"
"they had the big top up in less than an hour"
The highest or uppermost part of something.
"She carefully wiped dust from the very top of the tall bookshelf."
the part of something that is usually the top.
"She carefully placed the new sticker on the top of her water bottle to make it visible from every angle."
In plain English: A top is a small toy that spins on its point when you pull a string attached to it.
Usage: Use this noun to refer specifically to the physical surface, lid, or crown-like structure at the very end of an object, such as a hat's brim or a bottle's cap. Avoid using it for abstract rankings unless referring literally to the highest position in a stack or list.
strike (the top part of a ball in golf, baseball, or pool) giving it a forward spin
"The golfer's powerful swing connected perfectly to the top of the ball, sending it soaring high into the air."
To cover on the top or with a top.
"She carefully topped off her morning coffee before heading to work."
In plain English: To top something means to put another item on its surface.
"She decided to top her salad with some fresh strawberries."
Situated on the top of something.
"The bird perched at the very top of the tall oak tree."
In plain English: Top describes something that is the very best or highest quality.
"She put her favorite book on top of the pile."
Rated first.
"Her performance earned her top marks on the exam, securing a place at the very head of the class."
In plain English: To be top means to be at the highest point or level of something.
"The runner got to the top of the hill before the others."
The word "top" comes from Old English, where it originally meant the highest part or summit of something as well as a tassel. It entered Middle English with these same meanings before evolving into its modern sense for spinning toys and upper positions.