apex

¹

[ey-peks]

noun

plural

apexes, apices 

1. the tip, point, or vertex; summit.

2. climax; peak; acme.

   His election to the presidency was the apex of his career.

3. Astronomy.,  solar apex.

APEX

²

[ey-peks]

noun

1. a type of international airfare offering reduced rates for extended stays that are booked in advance.

apex

¹

/ ˈeɪpɛks /

noun

1. the highest point; vertex

2. the pointed end or tip of something

3. a pinnacle or high point, as of a career, etc

4. Also called: solar apex. astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, lying in the constellation Hercules, towards which the sun appears to move at a velocity of 20 kilometres per second relative to the nearest stars

APEX

²

/ ˈeɪpɛks /

acronym

1. Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced airline or long-distance rail fare that must be paid a specified number of days in advance

2. (in Britain) Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical, and Computer Staff

Word History and Origins

Origin of apex¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1595–1605

Origin of apex²

First recorded in 1970–75; A(dvance) P(urchase) Ex(cursion)

Word History and Origins

Origin of apex¹

C17: from Latin: point

Example Sentences

But Rayner's extraordinary rise to the apex of British politics with the Labour Party has culminated in an equally spectacular fall.

From BBC

“The mural would be very, very large at the top. The apex of this barn is like 25 feet.”

From Los Angeles Times

If this was indeed a battle between two apex predators, Dr Link says that provides insight into an ancient ecosystem.

From BBC

While bears are typically seen as apex predators, he says, black bears — the only wild bears left in California — are actually vegetarian-leaning omnivores, eating far more grass, tubers, roots and berries than meat.

From Los Angeles Times

"They are really important parts of the ecosystem – they're apex predators," she says.

From BBC

Related Words

• apogee 
• culmination 
• pinnacle