summit
/ˈsʌmɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌmɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsə-mət/ (ame, mw)
summit — noun
- summitsingular
- summitsplural
1. a gathering where the top political figures of several nations come together for
a gathering where the top political figures of several nations come together for face-to-face talks about major international concerns, such as trade agreements, climate policy, or security.
The climate summit in Paris brought together leaders from nearly two hundred countries.
summit on [topic] for international meetings
Devika's role at the trade summit involved coordinating talks between the two delegations.
World leaders will gather for a summit on pandemic preparedness next month.
The summit ended with a joint statement on human rights protections.
- conference
broader term; a conference can be at any level, not just top leaders
- convention
larger-scale gathering, often of a profession or political party
- summit meeting
emphasises the formal meeting event rather than the concept
文法句型
summit + on + topic
hold + a + summit
summit + between + countries
用法筆記
Use summit only for meetings at the highest political level (presidents, prime ministers). For ordinary workplace meetings, use meeting or conference instead.
常見錯誤
2. the spot where a mountain reaches its maximum height and no higher solid ground
the spot where a mountain reaches its maximum height and no higher solid ground exists.
The climbers reached the summit of Mount Fuji just before sunrise.
reach the summit of [mountain]
From the summit, Aylin could see the entire valley spread out below.
Pim rested at the summit and ate a sandwich while enjoying the view.
The final push to the summit took the team more than four hours.
Eri took a photograph of the summit against a clear winter sky.
- base
the bottom of a mountain
文法句型
summit + of + [mountain name]
reach + the + summit
at + the + summit + of
用法筆記
Associated with mountains in particular, not hills or buildings. For the top of a building or a hill, use top or rooftop.
常見錯誤
3. the highest or most successful stage that someone or something can reach in a pa
the highest or most successful stage that someone or something can reach in a particular field, such as a career, an art form, or a scientific pursuit.
Winning the gold medal marked the summit of her athletic career.
summit of [career/achievement]
For Christopher, becoming a partner at the firm was the summit of his ambitions.
The company reached the summit of its success in the late nineteen nineties.
Many artists consider this gallery the summit of professional recognition.
Their research represented the summit of scientific knowledge at the time.
- peak
more commonly used for the figurative high point, as in peak form or peak condition
- pinnacle
suggests a very narrow, high point; often used in 'pinnacle of success'
- zenith
from astronomy; suggests the highest point in a process or career that may later decline
- apex
slightly more technical; often used in 'apex of power'
文法句型
summit + of + [achievement/career/success]
at + the + summit + of + [domain]
用法筆記
Typically followed by of plus an abstract noun phrase (the summit of her career, the summit of human achievement). Often used with possessive determiners (his summit, their summit).
常見錯誤
summit — verb
- summitpresent simple I / you / we / they
- summits3rd person singular
- summitting-ing form
- summittedpast simple
1. to take part in a high-level meeting of government leaders, usually for discussi
to take part in a high-level meeting of government leaders, usually for discussing international issues.
The foreign ministers will summit in Geneva next month to discuss trade.
summit + in [place] to discuss [topic]
World leaders plan to summit on climate action before the end of the year.
summit on [topic]
The two presidents summited privately after the main conference ended.
Hui reported that the leaders would summit again in the spring.
文法句型
summit + in/at + place
summit + on + topic
用法筆記
A relatively recent back-formation from the noun summit. Used mostly in news and diplomatic writing. In everyday conversation, attend a summit or hold a summit is more natural.
常見錯誤
2. to climb up to the highest point of a mountain and stand on its top.
to climb up to the highest point of a mountain and stand on its top.
The expedition summited Mount Kilimanjaro after six days of trekking.
summit + [mountain name] (transitive)
Only three of the eight climbers managed to summit in the bad weather.
manage to summit (intransitive)
Ramón summited his first mountain when he was sixteen years old.
The team hoped to summit before the afternoon storms arrived.
- conquer
more dramatic; suggests overcoming difficulty, used especially for famous peaks
- reach the top of
more general; can be used for any climb
文法句型
summit + [mountain name]
manage + to + summit
summit + [mountain] + in + [time]
用法筆記
Used especially in mountaineering writing. The past tense is summited (not summitted) in both American and British English. Transitive use (summit a mountain) is slightly more common than intransitive.