Crest Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CREST

[count]

1

:

the highest part or point of something (such as a hill or wave)

• wave crests

— usually + of

• The boat rose up on the crest of the wave.
• We stood on the crest of the hill/mountain.
• the crest of the flood

— often used figuratively

• They're still riding the crest of the wave of their success. [=they are still very happy, excited, etc., because of their success]
• He was at the crest of his fame when he died tragically.

2

:

a group of decorative feathers at the top of a bird's head

also

:

a decorative bunch of hair on the head of another animal

3

:

a special symbol used especially in the past to represent a family, group, or organization

• her family's crest

— compare coat of arms

Britannica Dictionary definition of CREST

1

[+ object]

:

to reach the highest part or point of (a mountain, wave, etc.)

• We crested the hill and looked out around us.

2

[no object]

US

:

to rise to a high level before going back down

• The river crested [=reached its highest level] at 10 feet above its normal level.

— often used figuratively

• His acting career crested in the mid-1940s.