zenith, n. & adj.

zenith
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zenith_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zenithnoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- zenith in OED Second Edition (1989)

## In other dictionaries

- sē̆nith, n. in Middle English Dictionary

## Factsheet

### What does the word zenith mean?

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zenith, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zenith has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

astronomy (Middle English) medicine (mid 1600s)

### How common is the word zenith?

About 1occurrence per million words in modern written English

1750 | 1.9
1760 | 1.9
1770 | 2.1
1780 | 2.2
1790 | 2.4
1800 | 2.7
1810 | 3.1
1820 | 3.3
1830 | 3.5
1840 | 3.3
1850 | 3.2
1860 | 3.2
1870 | 3.0
1880 | 3.3
1890 | 3.2
1900 | 3.1
1910 | 2.8
1920 | 2.6
1930 | 2.5
1940 | 2.4
1950 | 2.3
1960 | 2.1
1970 | 1.8
1980 | 1.5
1990 | 1.3
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.2

### How is the word zenith pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɛnɪθ/
ZEN-ith
/ˈziːnɪθ/
ZEE-nith

#### U.S. English

/ˈzinᵻθ/
ZEE-nuhth

### Where does the word zenith come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the word zenith is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for zenith is from before 1387, in a translation by John Trevisa, translator.

zenith is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: French cenit, cenith, zenith, Latin cenith, zenit, zenith.

### Nearby entries

1. Zendicism, n. 1697–
2. Zendish, adj. & n. 1802–1921
3. Zendist, n. 1877–1907
4. zendo, n. 1914–
5. Zener, n.¹ 1934–
6. Zener, n.² 1949–
7. Zengakuren, n. 1950–
8. Zen garden, n. 1937–
9. zenick, n. 1801–1900
10. zenitfer, n. 1596–
11. zenith, n. & adj.a1387–
12. zenithal, adj.?1731–
13. zenithal projection, n. 1877–
14. zenith-borne, adj. 1865–86
15. zenith distance, n. 1588–
16. zenith line, n. 1585–
17. zenith point, n. 1585–
18. zenith sector, n. 1775–
19. zenith sweep, n. 1790–
20. zenith telescope, n. 1803–
21. zenith tube, n. 1825–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: French cenit, cenith, zenith, Latin cenith, zenit, zenith.
< (i) Middle French cenit, cenith, zenith (French zénith) point of the sky directly overhead (a1324 in Old French as chenit), point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon (a1362),

and its…
< (i) Middle French cenit, cenith, zenith (French zénith) point of the sky directly overhead (a1324 in Old French as chenit), point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon (a1362),

and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin cenith, zenit, zenith point of the sky directly overhead (from 12th cent. in British and continental sources), first menstrual blood (1629 in the passage translated in quot. 1653 at sense A.3b) < Arabic samt path, (in astronomy) specific location of a star or planet in the sky (more fully samt al-ra's, lit. ‘path over the head’; hence ultimately azimuth n.), either with addition of an epenthetic vowel in Latin and other European languages, or resulting from a misreading (by minim confusion) of the transliterated form of the Arabic word.

Compare azimuth n.

### Notes

The French and post-classical Latin nouns were borrowed into many other European languages. Compare e.g. Spanish cenit (late 13th cent.), Portuguese zénite (16th cent. as zenith), Italian zenit (late 13th cent. as cenit), and also German Zenit (end of the 15th cent.).
With the figurative use in sense A.3a compare French zénith (1608 in this sense).

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1. 1.a.
         a1387–
         The point in the sky directly overhead; the highest point of the celestial sphere as viewed from any particular place; the upper pole of the horizon (opposed to nadir n.).
         Sometimes formerly used like a predicative adjective, as in quots. 1555, 1638; = in the zenith, ‘vertical’: cf. also quot. 1604.
         1. (a1387)

            > Cinit [Latin cenit], þat is þe point þat is in þe welken euen aȝenst hem in þe oþer side of þe erþe.

            J. Trevisa, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1869) vol. II. 177
            [Composed a1387]
         2. (a1398)

            > It is iseyde þat a þing is in þe cenith of oure heed whanne he is aboue streiȝt ouer oure heed, for cenith is iclepid ‘a streiȝt sittynge ouerhede.’

            J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. I. viii. xxi. 499
            [Composed a1398]
         3. c1400 (1391)

            > The centre þat standith a-Middes the narwest cercle is cleped the senyth..[which] is ymagened to ben the verrey point ouer the crowne of thyn heued, & also this senyth is the verrey pool of the orisonte in euery regioun.

            G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §18. 10
            [Composed 1391]
         4. 1496

            > Creatures more maddyr In erthe none wandreth atwene senit & naddyr.

            Epitaffe Iaspar Late Duke of Beddeforde (Pynson) sig. av
         5. c1550

            > The point that is rycht abufe our hede is callit zenych..ande as oft as ve change fra place to place, as oft ve sal hef ane vthir zenycht.

            Complaynt of Scotland (1979) vi. 40
         6. 1555

            > The sonne beinge there Zenith (that is the poynt of heauen directly ouer theyr heades) they felte greater heate..then when they were vnder the Equinoctiall line.

            R. Eden, Disc. Vyage rounde Worlde in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde f. 218
         7. 1604

            > When I passed, which was when the sun was there for Zenith, being entered into Aries.

            E. Grimeston, translation of J. de Acosta, Naturall & Morall Historie Indies ii. ix. 101
         8. 1638

            > Shadowlesse, when Sol is Zenith.

            T. Herbert, Some Yeares Travels (revised edition) 6
         9. 1667

            > From Morn To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve..; and with the setting Sun Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star.

            J. Milton, Paradise Lost i. 745
         10. 1733

             > As an Object gradually ascends from the Horizon towards the Zenith.

             G. Berkeley, Theory of Vision §60. 50
         11. 1849

             > There was not a speck of cloud from east to west, from zenith to horizon.

             H. W. Herbert, Frank Forester vol. I. 144
         12. 1860

             > The stars..near the zenith shine with a steady light.

             J. Tyndall, Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 72
         13. 1885

             > She saw a wondrous light In shifting colour to the zenith tower.

             R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche i. xxiv. 10
         14. 1926

             > Stars..may be selected in such a way that some will be as far north of the zenith as others are south.

             H. N. Russell et al., Astronomy vol. I. iii. 80
         15. 1975

             > Disadvantages are..an inaccessible sky area of about 5 degrees radius centred upon zenith, and a rotating field.

             B. V. Barlow, Astronomical Telescope ix. 175
         16. 2013

             > The zenith during the early evening is ringed by familiar constellations.

             Times (Nexis) 2 December (Features section) 55
         astronomy
         1. zenith a1387–
            The point in the sky directly overhead; the highest point of the celestial sphere as viewed from any particular place; the upper pole of the horizon…
         2. vertical point 1559–1728
            Of or pertaining to, placed or situated at, passing through, the vertex or zenith; occupying a position… = vertex, n. 2. Also figurative, the…
         3. medium coeli 1585–
            The point in the sky directly overhead; the highest point of the celestial sphere as viewed from any particular place; the zenith (zenith, n. A.1a)…
         4. high noon 1629–
            figurative. Chiefly with of or possessive adjective. The culminating or highest point; the peak or zenith.
         5. vertex 1646–
            The point in the heavens vertically overhead, or directly above a given place; the zenith. latitude or meridian of vertex (see quot. 1850).
         6. vertice 1665
            The vertex or zenith.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 1.b.
         a1640–
         More loosely: the expanse of sky overhead; the upper region of the sky.
         Quot. 1599 shows the development of this sense from sense A.1a.
         1. [1599

            > If we beleeue, that men do liue Vnder the Zenith of both frozen Poles.

            J. Davies, Nosce Teipsum 96]
         2. a1640

            > Two, and twentye yeares of miserie..that longe time spent to vnder distant zeniths.

            P. Massinger, Beleeue as you List (1976) i. ii. 181
         3. 1791

            > As Night's pale Queen..climbs the zenith.

            E. Darwin, Botanic Garden: Part I i. 118
         4. 1828

            > Above, To the far stretching zenith.

            N. P. Willis in Ladies' Magazine January 45
         5. 1864

            > Huge trees that branch'd And blossom'd in the zenith.

            Lord Tennyson, Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 32
         6. 1898

            > Jack would..brandish the bat, And away the balls would go,..sometimes bang into the zenith.

            E. V. Lucas, Willow & Leather 106
         7. 1934

            > Up in the zenith, so high that it dazzled one to look at them, a few vultures circled without the quiver of a wing.

            ‘G. Orwell’, Burmese Days i. 1
         8. 1951

            > The zenith was filled with infinitesimal specks of light of every conceivable color.

            Thrilling Wonder Stories December 126/1
         9. 2013

            > A single star floats within the marine blue zenith of the window.

            Toronto Star (Nexis) 20 December a3
         1. zenith a1640–
            More loosely: the expanse of sky overhead; the upper region of the sky.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. zenith a1640–
            More loosely: the expanse of sky overhead; the upper region of the sky.
         2. culm 1821
            The highest point, summit, culminating point.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1. 2.a.
         c1400
         † The location of a celestial object or event expressed as the point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon; = azimuth n. 2. Obsolete. rare.
         1. c1400 (1391)

            > Thise Aȝimutz serue to knowe the costes of the firmanent & to othre conclusiouns, as for to knowe the cenyth of the sonne & of euery sterre.

            G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §19. 11
            [Composed 1391]
         2. c1400 (1391)

            > To knowe the senyth [Lat. signum] of the arysing of the sonne, this is to seyn, the partie of the Orisonte in which þat the sonne arisith.

            G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §31. 40
            [Composed 1391]
         astronomy
         1. zenith c1400
            The location of a celestial object or event expressed as the point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon; = azimuth, n. 2. Obsolete…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. zenith c1400
            The location of a celestial object or event expressed as the point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon; = azimuth, n. 2. Obsolete…
         2. zenith point 1585–
            The point on the celestial sphere directly overhead at a particular location; = zenith, n. A.1a.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 2.b.
         1667
         † A course towards the zenith. Obsolete. rare.
         1. 1667

            > Satan..Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose.

            J. Milton, Paradise Lost x. 329
         astronomy
         1. zenith 1667
            A course towards the zenith. Obsolete. rare.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      3. 2.c.
         1704–
         The highest or culminating point reached by a celestial object, esp. the sun or moon.
         1. 1704

            > The conscious Moon, now in her Zenith.

            J. Swift, Full Account Battel between Books in Tale of Tub 271
         2. 1817

            > What time the waning moon with cloud-veil'd face Her zenith reached, o'er the dark waving woods.

            J. F. Pennie, Royal Minstrel viii. 165
         3. 1976

            > The sun was at its zenith.

            L. van der Post, Jung & Story of Our Time (1978) v. 149
         4. 2010

            > After the sun's zenith, they [sc. the shadows] lengthened while the sky loosened its grip on the sun.

            D. Means in New Yorker 25 October 75/2
         astronomy
   3. 1. 3.a.
         1610–
         figurative. The highest or best point (of something); the time or period at which something is at its best, most successful, most powerful, etc.; an acme, a climax. Cf. nadir n. 3a.
         1. 1610

            > My rude Presume in daring from the remote Nadir of obscurity, to eleuate the flaggie Wing of so weake a Pineon towards the Zenith of Perfection.

            W. Folkingham, Feudigraphia Epistle Ded. sig. A2v
         2. a1616

            > I finde my Zenith doth depend vpon A most auspitious starre, whose influence If now I court not,..my fortunes Will euer after droope.

            W. Shakespeare, Tempest (1623) i. ii. 182
         3. 1643

            > The hand of God, whereby all Estates arise to their Zenith and verticall points.

            Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici (authorized edition) i. §17
         4. 1728

            > In S. Augustine's Time, the Christian affairs seem to have been in their Zenith of Prosperity.

            J. Morgan, Complete History of Algiers vol. I. iv. 149
         5. 1790

            > E'en in the zenith of republic pride, The virtuous Scipio found it no mean task, To subjugate Numantia's warlike son.

            M. O. Warren, Poems 140
         6. 1821

            > I left the festival before It reach'd its zenith.

            Lord Byron, Marino Faliero (2nd issue) iv. i. 97
         7. 1837

            > Bacon had reached the zenith of his fortunes.

            T. B. Macaulay, Lord Bacon in Essays (1851) vol. I. 377
         8. 1886

            > Built..in the zenith of the pointed style, [Westminster Abbey] is one of the most exquisite examples of its class.

            F. Harrison, Choice of Books 251
         9. 1920

            > He was well in his prime and almost in the zenith of his political power.

            J. K. Turner & J. L. Bridges, Hist. Edgecombe County iv. 125
         10. 1967

             > A pop singer whose fame was currently at its dizzy histrionic zenith.

             M. Drabble, Jerusalem the Golden (1969) vii. 155
         11. 2005

             > This movement hit its zenith with the March on Washington, led by Dr. King on August 28, 1963.

             Ebony November 110/1
         1. height Old English–
            The highest point, the utmost degree (of something immaterial); extremity; summit; zenith.
         2. prick Old English–1924
            A point marking a stage in progression; a degree, a pitch. the prick: the height, highest point, acme. Obsolete (archaic and rare in later use).
         3. full 1340–
            More generally: the period, point, or state of the greatest fullness, strength, or intensity of something.
         4. high a1398–1775
            Height, altitude; (figurative) highest pitch, acme (cf. height, n. II.12). Obsolete.
         5. point c1400–1728
            figurative. The highest degree, summit, or acme of something; the chief or most refined example or instance. Obsolete.
         6. roof a1500
            The highest point or summit of something. Obsolete.
         7. topcastle 1548–87
            figurative. The best or most highly developed example of something; the high point, the acme, the zenith. Obsolete.
         8. ruff 1549–1878
            The highest pitch or fullest degree of some exalted or excited condition. Usually in in the ruff of. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
         9. acme a1568–
            The highest point or culmination; the point or period at which something is at its best or most highly developed; (in later use also) a person or…
         10. tip 1567
             figurative. Utmost point, extremity; highest point, apex, crown. Obsolete. (Cf. also tipe, n.¹)
         11. noontide 1578–
             figurative. The culminating or highest point of something. Cf. noon, n. 2b.
         12. high tide 1579–
             figurative or (esp. in early use) in figurative contexts. The highest point or state of something; a state or point of greatest intensity, magnitude…
         13. superlative 1583–
             The utmost point or limit of something; a pinnacle, height, or acme.
         14. summity 1588–1862
             figurative. The highest attainable point of achievement, success, development, etc.; = summit, n. 3.
         15. spring tide 1593–1890
             figurative and in figurative contexts: something likened to the high tide, esp. in being the highest point of a particular state, period, experience…
         16. meridian 1594–
             figurative. The point or period of highest development or perfection, after which decline sets in; culmination, full splendour.
         17. period 1595–1608
             The highest point reached in any process or course; a zenith. Obsolete.
         18. apogee 1600–
             Hence figurative. The highest point, climax, culmination.
         19. punctilio 1601–50
             The highest point, the apex (literal and figurative); a high projecting point or tip. Obsolete. rare.
         20. high-water mark 1602–
             figurative. The highest point of intensity, excellence, etc., that is or may be attained; the greatest amount or degree of something.
         21. noon 1609–
             figurative. The culminating or highest point, the peak. Cf. noontide, n. A.3.
         22. zenith 1610–
             figurative. The highest or best point (of something); the time or period at which something is at its best, most successful, most powerful, etc.; an…
         23. auge 1611–
             figurative. The point of greatest attainment or influence; zenith, culmination; ascendancy; = apogee, n. 3b. Cf. ascendant, n. B.I.2. Now rare.
         24. apex 1624–
             figurative. The highest point or culmination; the acme, the climax.
         25. culmination 1633–
             The attainment by a heavenly body of its greatest altitude; the act of reaching the meridian.
         26. cumble 1640–50
             Highest point, apex, culmination. (A Gallicism affected by Howell.)
         27. culmen 1646–
             gen. The top or summit; figurative the height, acme, culminating point.
         28. climax 1647–
             The culmination, peak, or apex of something; the most important or exciting part of a film, contest, etc., usually happening near the end.
         29. top c1650–
             The culminating point in a process, activity, sequence of events, etc.; a high or peak point.
         30. cumulus 1659–
             A heap, pile; an accumulation, gathering; the conical top of a heaped measure, hence the consummating mass.
         31. summit 1661–
             figurative. The highest attainable point of achievement, success, development, etc.; the acme. Cf. pinnacle, n. 3.
         32. perigeum 1670
             figurative. = perigee, n. 3. rare.
         33. highest 1688
             Frequently with the. The highest position, degree, or quality; (frequently with at) the utmost extent.
         34. consummation 1698–
             Acme, height; perfection.
         35. stretch 1741
             Utmost degree, acme. Obsolete.
         36. high point 1787–
             The point or period at which something is at its best or most highly developed; the peak; the best moment or part of something.
         37. perihelion 1804–
             figurative. A highest point, a zenith.
         38. top-notch 1808–
             As two words. With the. The highest point or level attainable; the highest category or bracket.
         39. summary 1831–1918
             The highest attainable point of achievement, success, etc.; (also) the ultimate outcome. Obsolete.
         40. comble 1832–
             The ‘crown’ or culmination.
         41. heading up 1857–
             The action or an act of to head up at head, v. phrasal verbs (in various senses).
         42. climacteric 1870–
             More generally: a point of greatest achievement or development; a high spot, summit, or climax.
         43. flashpoint 1878–
             a. = flashing-point, n.; b. figurative a point of climax, indignation, etc. (cf. boiling-point, n.).
         44. tip-end 1885–
             Cf. tip, n.¹ 1b.
         45. top hole 1897–1912
             colloquial (chiefly British). With the. The highest point or level attainable; the acme. Frequently in up to the top hole. Cf. top-notch, n. Obsolete.
         46. peak 1902–
             figurative. A highest point, summit, or zenith of achievement, success, development, etc.; a climax, an acme. In later use: esp. a point (in time)…
         47. noontime 1903–
             figurative. The culminating or highest point of something (cf. noontide, n. A.3). Also: a decline from the highest point (cf. afternoon, n. A.2).
         48. Omega point 1981–
             In extended use: a culminating point, an acme; a turning point. Also ironic.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 3.b.
         1637–70
         † Medicine. Menstrual blood from a young woman or girl, spec. that of her first menstrual period. Obsolete.
         1. 1637

            > The Zenith [Latin Zenith] (as they call it,) or the first menstruous blood of young Maides, being cast into the fire, as they report, is very offensive unto the Virgin from whom it flowed.

            translation of D. Sennert, Weapon-salves Maladie 12
         2. 1653

            > So the zenith [Latin Zenith] of a young maiden cast into the fire, is said to stay the fire.

            F. Parkhurst, translation of A. Tentzel, Medicina Diastatica 21
         3. 1670

            > ℞ Of Toads..well dryed in the Air... Zenith..of young Maydens, as much as can be got.

            translation of O. Croll, Bazilica Chymica 136
         medicine
2. adjective
   (attributive).
   1. 1828–
      That is, or represents, the highest or best point of something; most successful, powerful, significant, etc.; culminating; supreme. Cf. sense A.3.
      1. [1735

         > Or like Apollo's zenith hour: Or like a full blown rose, her pow'r, Past bud and balmy honey dew Unfolds.

         Gentleman's Magazine November 673/1]
      2. 1828

         > This is truly the zenith time with theatricals.

         World of Fashion April 78/2
      3. 1846

         > The whole picture reminding one of fig-leaf days or Indian settlements, instead of the zenith days of Dutch civilization.

         J. Schnap & H. van Garretson, Old Times & New xi. 40
      4. 1859

         > What zenith joy ever stood at gaze beyond its fleeting hour?

         W. G. Wills, Life's Foreshadowings vol. III. iii. 20
      5. 1875

         > Scott's year of zenith happiness.

         W. Cory, Letters & Journals (1897) 405
      6. 1919

         > This, be it noted, was advertising in its zenith power.

         Editor & Publisher 3 April 8/1
      7. 1989

         > The Republicans did even better in 1928, the zenith year of prosperity and conservative satisfaction.

         M. P. Malone & R. W. Etulain, American West (1990) ii. 85
      8. 2012

         > This zenith moment of the civil rights movement.

         P. Harvey, Moses, Jesus, & Trickster in Evangelical South iii. 151
      1. peaked c1350–
         Having or reaching a peak; projecting, pointed; cut, trimmed, or brought to a peak or point.
      2. culminant 1605–
         Of a heavenly body: That has reached its greatest altitude, that is on the meridian; hence figurative that is at its greatest height.
      3. headed a1616
         That has developed or come to a head like a boil or abscess. Obsolete. rare.
      4. meridian a1657–1903
         Relating to or characteristic of the point or period of highest development or splendour of a person, state, institution, etc. Obsolete.
      5. climacteric 1789–
         = climactic, adj.
      6. zenith 1828–
         That is, or represents, the highest or best point of something; most successful, powerful, significant, etc.; culminating; supreme. Cf. sense A.3.
      7. zenithal 1891–
         figurative. That is, or represents, the highest or best point of something; culminating; supreme; = zenith, adj.
      8. climacterical 1896–1918
         That acts as a climax; = climactic, adj. 1. Obsolete.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɛnɪθ/
ZEN-ith
/ˈziːnɪθ/
ZEE-nith

### U.S. English

/ˈzinᵻθ/
ZEE-nuhth

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

(a)

1. Middle English
   cenit, cenyth, cinit, senit, senith, senyth
2. Middle English–1500s
   cenith
3. 1500s
   ceneth, zenit, zenithe
4. 1500s–1600s; 1800s
   zenyth
5. 1500s–
   zenith

(b) Also Scottish

1. pre-1700
   zenych (transmission error), zenycht (transmission error)

## Frequency

zenith typically occurs about once per million words in modern written English.

zenith is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zenith, n. & adj., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 1.9
1760 | 1.9
1770 | 2.1
1780 | 2.2
1790 | 2.4
1800 | 2.7
1810 | 3.1
1820 | 3.3
1830 | 3.5
1840 | 3.3
1850 | 3.2
1860 | 3.2
1870 | 3.0
1880 | 3.3
1890 | 3.2
1900 | 3.1
1910 | 2.8
1920 | 2.6
1930 | 2.5
1940 | 2.4
1950 | 2.3
1960 | 2.1
1970 | 1.8
1980 | 1.5
1990 | 1.3
2000 | 1.2
2010 | 1.2

### Frequency of zenith, n. & adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.35
2018 | 0.34
2019 | 0.33
2020 | 0.33
2021 | 0.34
2022 | 0.35
2023 | 0.36
2024 | 0.37

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zenith line, n. 1585–
   a. An arc from the zenith to the horizon, which…

1. zenith point, n. 1585–
   The point on the celestial sphere directly…

1. zenith distance, n. 1588–
   The angular distance of a celestial object from…

1. zenith star, n. 1589–

1. zenitfer, n. 1596–
   A part of an astrolabe used for measuring zenith…

1. zenithward, n., adv., & adj. 1655–
   The direction leading towards the zenith; that…

1. zenith sun, n. 1658–

1. zenithal, adj. ?1731–
   Situated or occurring at the zenith; relating to…

1. zenith sector, n. 1775–
   A type of zenith telescope formerly favoured…

1. zenith sweep, n. 1790–
   A linear series of observations of a region of…

1. zenith telescope, n. 1803–
   An astronomical telescope designed to point…

1. zenith sky, n. 1811–

1. zenith tube, n. 1825–
   A form of zenith telescope; (also) a fixed open…

1. zenithwards, adv. 1826–
   Towards the zenith; in the direction of the…

1. magnetic zenith, n. 1837–
   The point of the sky directly above the magnetic…

1. zenith-borne, adj. 1865–86
   Borne to or towards the zenith.

1. C.1.
   attributive, with the sense ‘belonging to or situated at the zenith, directly overhead’.
   1. zenith star, n. 1589–
   1. zenith sun, n. 1658–
   1. zenith sky, n. 1811–
2. C.2.
   Astronomy. In names of instruments used for measurements relating to the zenith point.
   1. zenith sector, n. 1775–
      A type of zenith telescope formerly favoured…
   1. zenith telescope, n. 1803–
      An astronomical telescope designed to point…
   1. zenith tube, n. 1825–
      A form of zenith telescope; (also) a fixed open…
3. C.3.
   1. zenith line, n. 1585–
      a. An arc from the zenith to the horizon, which…
   1. zenith point, n. 1585–
      The point on the celestial sphere directly…
   1. zenith distance, n. 1588–
      The angular distance of a celestial object from…
   1. zenith sweep, n. 1790–
      A linear series of observations of a region of…
   1. zenith-borne, adj. 1865–86
      Borne to or towards the zenith.

zenith, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

zenith, n. & adj. was last modified in June 2025.