WordGarden.iosummit
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈʌmɪt/
US
- /ˈsəmət/
Meanings
Noun
the top of a mountain or hill
a high-level meeting between leaders or senior officials
the highest point or level of achievement, power, or development
Verb
to reach the top of a mountain
Beyond the definition
Imagine climbing a mountain: the summit is the very top, the point you have worked hard to reach. But the word is not only about mountains. It can also mean the highest level of success or development. And in modern use, a summit is often an important meeting between leaders, especially leaders of countries, where they talk about major issues like trade, security, or climate change. So, whether it is the top of a mountain or a major meeting at the highest level, summit suggests reaching the top.
The word summit originally referred to the very top of a hill or mountain—that ultimate destination for climbers and adventurers. It evokes images of challenging ascents, stunning views, and a sense of accomplishment. "After days of hiking, they finally reached the summit."
However, over time, summit has expanded its meaning beyond geography. It now commonly describes the highest point or level attainable in any field—a personal summit of fitness, a professional summit of success, or an artistic summit of creativity.
Most notably, summit is frequently used to describe international meetings where leaders from different countries meet to discuss important issues. These summits are often focused on topics like economic policy, security, or climate change, bringing together top officials to address global challenges. Think of the G7 Summit or a NATO summit.
The word carries an implication of importance and significance; it's not just any meeting, but one at the highest level. So, whether you're scaling a mountain, striving for excellence, or witnessing world leaders collaborate, summit represents reaching the very top—in every sense of the word.
Examples
- 1
Mountain climbing
After six hours of climbing, they finally reached the summit.
- 2
Mountain view
The view from the summit was worth the long hike.
- 3
Career peak
Winning the award felt like the summit of her career.
- Patternthe summit of + achievement/period
its highest or most successful point
- 4
Diplomatic meeting
The city will host an international climate summit next month.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emergency diplomacy
The two presidents met at an emergency summit to discuss the border crisis.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- summitnounverb
Forms
- summitspluralnounverb