crest

The highest part of a hill or wave.

• We stood on the crest of the hill.
• White foam covered the wave’s crest.
• The riders disappeared over the crest.

How to use it: the crest of something (We reached the crest of the hill.)

Similar words: top, peak, ridge

Opposites: base

Common phrases: crest of something, wave crest, hill crest

A special design used as a sign of a family, school, or other group.

• The badge shows our school crest.
• Their family crest appears above the castle door.
• Each team wore a different crest on its shirt.

Similar words: emblem, badge

Common phrases: family crest, school crest, club crest

A raised group of feathers, hair, or flesh on an animal's head.

• The bird has a yellow crest.
• Its crest rose when we approached.
• Male birds displayed their bright crests to attract females.

Similar words: tuft, comb

Common phrases: raised crest, feather crest, bird crest

To reach or pass over the highest part of a hill or wave.

• We crest the hill before noon.
• The hikers crested the ridge and saw the lake.
• Our boat was cresting a wave when the engine stopped.

Similar words: reach the top of, top

Common phrases: crest a hill, crest the ridge, crest a wave

If rising water does this, it reaches its highest level before falling.

• The river will crest tonight.
• Floodwaters crested just below the bridge.
• Officials expect the river to crest at five meters.

How to use it: crest at + measurement (The river crested at six meters.)

Similar words: peak

Common phrases: crest at noon, crest above something, crest overnight