Definition

1. Noun:

   • An imaginary great circle on the Earth's surface: A meridian is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, connecting points of equal longitude.
   • The highest point or stage of development: Meridian can metaphorically refer to the peak, zenith, or most flourishing period of something.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to or happening at noon: Pertaining to midday.
   • Being at the best or highest stage: Being in a state of prime or peak development.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Geographical):

  • The prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England, is at 0° longitude.
  • All locations on a single meridian share the same local solar time at noon.

• Noun (Figurative - Peak):

  • The artist's creativity reached its meridian in her forties.
  • His career was at its meridian when he received the prestigious award.

• Adjective:

  • The sun is at its meridian height at noon. (Relating to noon)
  • She was in the meridian of her life, full of energy and ambition. (At the best stage)

Advanced Usage

• "Celestial meridian": In astronomy, this is an imaginary great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and the north and south celestial poles.

  • The star crossed the celestial meridian at midnight.

• "Principal meridian": In surveying, a principal meridian is a reference line from which land is measured in a rectangular survey system.

  • The property's boundaries are defined in relation to the principal meridian.

Variants and Related Words

• Antemeridian (adj): Before noon (often abbreviated as A.M.).
• Postmeridian (adj): After noon (often abbreviated as P.M.).
• Meridional (adj): Relating to a meridian; or, in a broader sense, relating to the south or southern regions.

Synonyms

• Noun (Geographical): Longitude line.
• Noun (Figurative): Zenith, apex, pinnacle, acme, summit, peak, climax, culmination.
• Adjective (Noon): Noontime, midday.
• Adjective (Peak): Prime, flourishing, highest.

Related Phrases

• "Prime meridian": The meridian at 0° longitude, the starting point for measuring longitude.

  • Greenwich, London, is the historical location of the prime meridian.

• "Meridian passage": The moment when a celestial body crosses the observer's meridian.

  • We observed the meridian passage of the sun to determine local noon.

Related Idioms

• "At the meridian of one's powers": At the peak of one's abilities or life.
  • The composer, at the meridian of his powers, produced his greatest symphony.

Adjective

1. being at the best stage of development
   • our manhood's prime vigor- Robert Browning
2. of or happening at noon
   • meridian hour

Noun

1. an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
   • all points on the same meridian have the same longitude
2. a town in eastern Mississippi
3. the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
   • his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
   • the artist's gifts are at their acme
   • at the height of her career
   • the peak of perfection
   • summer was at its peak
   • ...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
   • the summit of his ambition
   • so many highest superlatives achieved by man
   • at the top of his profession