the higher end of anything on a slope.
- a part considered as higher: the top of the street.
- high gear of an automobile.
- the part of a plant that grows above ground, especially of an edible root.
- one of the tender tips of the branches or shoots of plants.
the highest or leading place, position, rank, etc.: at the top of the class.
the highest point, pitch, or degree: to talk at the top of one's voice.
a person or thing that occupies the highest or leading position.
the best or choicest part: the top of all creation.
a covering or lid, as of a container or vehicle.
any of various outer garments for the upper body, as a blouse, shirt, or sweater: a sale on cotton tops and shorts.
Nautical. a platform surrounding the head of a lower mast on a ship, and serving as a foothold, a means of extending the upper rigging, etc.
Chemistry. the part of a mixture under distillation that volatilizes first.
- the best card of a suit in a player's hand.
- (in duplicate bridge) the best score on a hand.
- a stroke that hits the ball above its center.
- the forward spin given to the ball by such a stroke.
- the first half of an inning.
- the first three batters in the batting order.
- a cluster of textile fibers, especially tow, put on a distaff.
- a strand of the long wool fibers in sliver form, separated from noil by combing and wound into a large ball.
- a similar strand of rayon.
the tops, Informal. the most outstanding person or thing in ability, favor, etc.: As a friend, she's the tops.