noun
Uncommon
crest
krehst
Crest (noun) means the highest point of something, such as a hill or wave. Example: “They paused at the crest of the hill to catch their breath.”
noun
1
The highest point of something, such as a hill or wave.
"They paused at the crest of the hill to catch their breath."
"The surfer rode the crest of the wave perfectly."
"Snow lay thick along the crest of the ridge."
2
A tuft of feathers or fur on an animal's head, or a decorative emblem, especially of a family or institution.
"The cockatoo raised its crest when startled."
"The team's crest was stitched onto every shirt."
"The school crest shows an owl and a book."
verb
1
To reach the top of something, or to rise to a peak.
"The wave crested just before it broke."
"When the path crested the ridge, we saw the sea for the first time."
"The river crested overnight and slowly began to fall again."
How to use crest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe top or peak of something, an animal's head-tuft, or an emblem/logo.
Common pairings
crest of a wave
family crest
crest a hill
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Word forms
- Plural
- crests
- Third person singular
- crests
- Past tense
- crested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They paused at the _____ of the hill to catch their breath.
Etymology
From Old French creste, ultimately from Latin crista, "tuft, comb" — a doublet of "crista".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for crest
See all rhymes for crest →Frequently asked questions
What does “crest” mean?
The word “crest” means the highest point of something, such as a hill or wave. In plain terms, the top or peak of something, an animal's head-tuft, or an emblem/logo.
How do you pronounce “crest”?
“Crest” is pronounced krehst (/kɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “crest” in a sentence?
Here is “crest” used in a sentence: “They paused at the crest of the hill to catch their breath.”
What part of speech is “crest”?
Depending on how it is used, “crest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “crest” come from?
The word “crest” comes from Latin. From Old French creste, ultimately from Latin crista, "tuft, comb" — a doublet of "crista".
Is “crest” a common word?
“Crest” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crest” have?
“Crest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the highest point of something, such as a hill or wave.
What is the difference between a crest and a peak?
A peak usually refers to the pointed top of a mountain, while a crest is the highest point of something more rounded or wave-like, such as a hill or a wave. Crest is especially common for describing the top of a wave just before it breaks.
What does it mean for a family to have a crest?
A family crest is a decorative emblem, historically used to identify a family or institution, often displayed on shields, seals, or stationery. This sense of crest comes from the same word used for a tuft of feathers or fur on an animal's head, both referring to something prominent at the top.
What does it mean when a river or flood is expected to crest?
When a river or flood is said to crest, it means it is expected to reach its highest point before beginning to recede. This use of crest as a verb reflects the idea of rising to a peak, just as a wave crests before breaking.
