summit of a mountain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "summit of a mountain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the highest point or peak of a mountain, often in discussions about hiking, geography, or nature. Example: "After a long and challenging hike, we finally reached the summit of the mountain, where the view was breathtaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Tibetans, it's worth noting, have no word for the summit of a mountain.

The New York Times - Books

I would usually tell the story of my epiphany on the summit of a mountain in Colorado.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The bonefish dashed away, leaving me alone in calf-deep water, standing on the summit of a mountain.

The New York Times - Sports

And once the summit of a mountain becomes too hot for a species or its preferred vegetation type, the habitable area is reduced to nothing.

Stanford University

But when Holbrook says in the epilogue that an accounting of the next 52 years "will be told," presumably in a sequel, it's like being welcomed at the summit of a mountain with the promise of a 20-mile hike.

The New York Times - Books

"An alpinist who scales the summit of a mountain, he understands that there is some chance he will fall into a crevasse," said Andrei Bilzho, a cartoonist who dedicated a series of drawings to the group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Considered to be a kind of surface mining, MTR typically involves the mining of the summit or summit ridge of a mountain.

Huffington Post

Among them are more substantial islands, the worn, isolated summits of a mountain range drowned by the sea.

The New York Times - Travel

This method works well when the meaning of the life resides in some physical accomplishment — the summitting of a mountain, the winning of a battle, the passing of a law.

The New Yorker

Pemba Gyalje Sherpa was part of the group of climbers who, in early August 2008, began the last leg of their summit of K2, a mountain in the heart of the Karakoram Range in northern Pakistan.

The New York Times - Travel

Three Japanese mountain climbers were killed while trying to reach the summit of a sacred mountain in Tibet, a mountaineering official said Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "summit of a mountain" when you want to specifically refer to the highest point reached during climbing, hiking, or in geographical descriptions. It provides a clear and unambiguous image.

Common error

Avoid using "summit of a mountain" when you're referring to the slopes, base, or general area of a mountain. "Summit" exclusively denotes the highest point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "summit of a mountain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific location—the highest point of a mountain—and provides a clear reference point for geographical descriptions, climbing narratives, or metaphorical expressions, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "summit of a mountain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the highest point of a mountain. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives such as "mountaintop" or "peak of a mountain" exist, the phrase remains a clear and unambiguous way to describe this specific geographical feature. Avoiding its use when referring to other parts of the mountain is essential for maintaining clarity. The examples available via Ludwig illustrate its widespread and consistent application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountaintop

A shorter, single-word alternative referring to the highest point of a mountain.

peak of a mountain

Uses "peak" instead of "summit", maintaining the same meaning.

top of the mountain

A more common and straightforward way to refer to the highest point.

mountain's summit

Possessive form indicating the mountain owns the summit.

crest of a mountain

Emphasizes the ridgeline near the summit.

apex of a mountain

Uses a more formal term, "apex", for the highest point.

highest point of a mountain

A descriptive phrase emphasizing the altitude.

upper reaches of a mountain

Refers to the area near the summit, not necessarily the exact top.

zenith of a mountain

A more poetic term, implying the highest or culminating point.

crown of a mountain

Evokes a sense of majesty and completion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "summit of a mountain"?

You can use alternatives like "mountaintop", "peak of a mountain", or "top of the mountain" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "summit of the mountain" or "summit of a mountain"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "summit of a mountain" is generally used when referring to a mountain in general, while "summit of the mountain" refers to a specific mountain already mentioned or understood in the context.

What does it mean to reach the "summit of a mountain"?

Reaching the "summit of a mountain" signifies reaching the highest point, often after a challenging climb or hike. It can also be used metaphorically to represent achieving a goal or reaching the peak of one's career.

How is the "summit of a mountain" used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, the "summit of a mountain" can represent the culmination of effort, achieving a significant goal, or reaching the highest point in a particular field. For example, "He reached the summit of his career".