atop

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈtäp How to pronounce atop (audio)
Synonyms of atopnext
: on, to, or at the top

atop

2 of 2

preposition

: on top of

Examples of atop in a Sentence

Preposition The house sits atop a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
Acquired from the Cubs for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor, Rojas is a top-100 prospect and now atop almost every ranking of New York’s best minor-league talent. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 It was perched atop on a separate building that is connected to the Macy’s store, which predates the flagship that opened in 1902. — David Moin, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Preposition
Its exterior is rich with symbolism, from stone carvings representing the all-seeing eye of God to a golden statue, atop the highest spire, of an angel blowing a trumpet to herald the Second Coming. — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 The telescope will get off the ground and be propelled into space atop SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atop

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atop was in 1638

Rhymes for atop

See All Rhymes for atop

Browse Nearby Words

atony
atop
atopic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atop. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

atop

preposition
ə-ˈtäp
: on top of

More from Merriam-Webster on atop

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for atop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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