top¹ (tŏp)

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[Middle English, from Old English.]

noun 

1. The uppermost part, point, surface, or end.
2. The part farthest from a given reference point: took a jump shot from the top of the key.
3. The crown of the head: from top to toe.
4. The part of a plant, such as a rutabaga, that is above the ground.
5. Something, such as a lid or cap, that covers or forms an uppermost part.
6. A garment worn on the upper half of the body, especially a sweater or knit shirt.
7. Nautical A platform enclosing the head of each mast of a sailing ship, to which the topmast rigging is attached.
8. The highest degree, pitch, or point; the peak, acme, or zenith: “It had come at a time when he was not feeling at the top of his form” (Anthony Powell)
9. 1. The highest position or rank: at the top of his profession.
   2. A person in this position.
10. Games The highest card or cards in a suit or hand.
11. The best part.
12. The earliest part or beginning: She played the piece again, from the top.
13. Baseball The first half of an inning.
14. Sports
    1. A stroke that lands above the center of a ball, as in golf or tennis, giving it a forward spin.
    2. A forward spin on a ball resulting from such a stroke.

adjective 

1. Situated at the top: the top shelf.
2. Of the highest degree, quality, rank, or amount: in top form; the top ten bestsellers.
3. In a position of preeminence: the top historian in her department.

verb: topped, top·ping, tops. 

transitive verb 

1. To form, furnish with, or serve as a top.
2. To reach the top of.
3. To go over the top of.
4. To exceed or surpass.
5. To be at the head of: She topped her class.
6. To remove the top or uppermost part from; crop: topped the fruit trees.
7. Sports
   1. To strike the upper part of (a ball), giving it forward spin.
   2. To make (a stroke) in this way.

intransitive verb 

To make a finish, an end, or a conclusion.

phrasal verbs

top off

To fill up (a container), especially when it is almost full to begin with.

To finish up.

top out

To put the framework for the top story on (a building).

To fill up (a ship, for example).

To cease rising: Interest rates topped out at 16 percent.

Informal To give up one's career just as one becomes highly successful.

idioms

off the top of (one's) head

In an impromptu way: She recited the poem off the top of her head.

on top

At the highest point or peak. In a dominant, controlling, or successful position.

on top of

In control of. Fully informed about: a senator who is always on top of the issues. In addition to; besides: On top of this, several other benefits are being offered. Following closely on; coming immediately after: Hail came on top of a violent thunderstorm.

on top of the world

In a position of great happiness or success.

over the top

Surpassing a goal or quota. Excessively expressive or dramatic. Over the breastwork, as an attack in trench warfare: “a whole battalion, onto the beachhead, over the top” (Margaret Atwood)

top² (tŏp)

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[Middle English, from Old English.]

noun 

A toy having one end tapered to a point, allowing it to be spun, as by suddenly pulling a string wound around it.