- Today's Word
Zenith
ZEE-nith (or ZEH-nith)
Definition
- (noun) The highest point or peak of success, power, or achievement.
Example
The athlete’s career reached its zenith when she won three Olympic gold medals in a single year.
Fun Fact
“Zenith” originates from Arabic samt ar-ras, meaning “path above the head,” referring to the highest point in the sky directly overhead. The word entered English via medieval astronomy and eventually expanded metaphorically to describe peak moments in life or success.
(noun) The range of one’s knowledge, understanding, or awareness.
Quantum physics lies far beyond my ken, no matter how many articles I read.
Ken comes from Old English cennan, meaning “to know” or “to make known,” and is closely related to Middle English and Scots usage where it meant knowledge, perception, or recognition. Over time, the word narrowed to describe the limits of what someone knows or understands, which is why it’s often used today in phrases like “beyond my ken.”