Zenith means the highest point something reaches, either literally in the sky or figuratively in life, power, or success.

Core meaning

  • In astronomy, “zenith” is the point in the sky directly above your head, opposite the nadir (which is directly below you).
  • In everyday language, it means the peak or most successful point of something, like “at the zenith of her career.”

Everyday examples

  • “The company reached its zenith in the late 2010s before sales began to slow.”
  • “In the 1860s, Tolstoy was at the zenith of his achievement.”
  • “The sun was at its zenith at noon, beating down on the desert.”

Related ideas

  • Common synonyms: apex, peak, height, acme.
  • Opposite term: “nadir,” meaning the lowest or most unsuccessful point.

TL;DR: If something is at its zenith, it is at its absolute peak in position, power, or success.