A meridian is an imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole. Meridians are drawn on maps to help you describe the position of a place.
Synonyms: peak, summit, climax, crest More Synonyms of meridian
meridian in British English
(məˈrɪdɪən)
noun
1.
a.
one of the imaginary lines joining the north and south poles at right angles to the equator, designated by degrees of longitude from 0° at Greenwich to 180°
b.
the great circle running through both poles
prime meridian
2. astronomy
a.
the great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the north and south celestial poles and the zenith and nadir of the observer
b.
(as modifier)
a meridian instrument
3. Also called: meridian section mathematics
a section of a surface of revolution, such as a paraboloid, that contains the axis of revolution
4.
the peak; zenith
the meridian of his achievements
5.
(in acupuncture, etc) any of the channels through which vital energy is believed to circulate round the body
6. obsolete
noon
adjective
7.
along or relating to a meridian
8.
of or happening at noon
9.
relating to the peak of something
Word origin
C14: from Latin merīdiānus of midday, from merīdiēs midday, from mediusmid1 + diēs day
meridian in American English
(məˈrɪdiən)
adjective
1.
of or at noon
2.
of or passing through the highest point in the daily course of any celestial body
3.
of or at the highest point of prosperity, splendor, power, etc.
4.
of or along a meridian
5. Rare
southern
noun
6. Archaic
the highest apparent point reached by a celestial body in its course
7.
a.
the highest point of power, prosperity, splendor, etc.; zenith; apex
b.
the middle period of one's life, regarded as the highest point of health, vigor, etc.; prime
8. Obsolete
noon
9. Astronomy
a great circle passing through the celestial poles, the observer's zenith and nadir,and the horizon's north and south points
: also called celestial meridian
10. Geography
a.
a great circle of the earth passing through the geographical poles and any given point on the earth's surface
b.
either half of such a circle between the poles
c.
any of the lines of longitude running north and south on a globe or map, representing such a half circle
11. Archaic
distinctive character as of a particular place
Word origin
OFr meridien < L meridianus, of noon, southern < meridies, noon, the south < older medidies < medius, mid1 + dies, day: see deity
Examples of 'meridian' in a sentence
meridian
The Malone Road was the meridian of my life, and it was a night for incongruous spottings along the co-ordinates.
David Cavanagh MUSIC FOR BOYS (2003)
We are west of the ninetieth meridian, aren't we, Prestimion?
Robert Silverberg LORD PRESTIMION (2003)
(noun)
Synonyms
peak
Her career was at its peak when she died.
summit
This is just a molehill on the way to the summit of her ambitions.
climax
Reaching the Olympics was the climax of her career.
crest
He reached the crest of the hill.
pinnacle
He had reached the pinnacle of his career.
culmination
zenith
His career is now at its zenith.
apex
At the apex of the party was the central committee.
high noon
apogee
The campaign reached its apogee in the 1970s.
acme
the acme of cinematic art
high-water mark
Seetop
Nearby words of
meridian
meretricious
merge
merger
meridian
merit
merited
meritorious
Synonyms of 'meridian'
meridian
Explore 'meridian' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of climax
Definition
the most intense or highest point of an experience or of a series of events
Reaching the Olympics was the climax of her career.
Synonyms
culmination,
head,
top,
summit,
height,
highlight,
peak,
pay-off (informal),
crest,
high point,
zenith,
apogee,
high spot (informal),
acme,
ne plus ultra
in the sense of crest
Definition
the top of a mountain, hill, or wave
He reached the crest of the hill.
Synonyms
top,
summit,
peak,
ridge,
highest point,
pinnacle,
apex,
head,
crown,
height
in the sense of culmination
Synonyms
peak,
top,
crown,
summit,
height,
perfection,
pinnacle,
zenith,
apex,
apogee,
acme,
punch line,
ne plus ultra,
crowning touch
in the sense of pinnacle
Definition
the highest point of fame or success
He had reached the pinnacle of his career.
Synonyms
height,
top,
crown,
crest,
meridian,
zenith,
apex,
apogee,
acme,
vertex
in the sense of summit
Definition
the highest possible degree or state
This is just a molehill on the way to the summit of her ambitions.