peaks

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of peak.

   Climbers spent the season tackling several of the region's tallest peaks.

   The chart showed two sharp peaks where demand surged.

   Note

   A regular plural that shares its spelling with the verb form, as in demand peaks. The noun names the high points, and the verb names the reaching of them. It counts whatever the singular counts: summits in a range, maximum values on a chart, the upper aft corners of fore-and-aft sails, and, in UK use, the visors of caps. Context settles which. The peaks of their caps are visors, and the peaks of the curve are maxima.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of peak.

   Ticket demand peaks just before the holiday weekend.

   Her energy peaks in the early afternoon and fades by evening.

   Note

   The verb usually stands without an object and is often followed by a phrase of time or level: demand peaks before the holiday, prices peak at a record. Two trades use it with an object. A sailor peaks a gaff by raising its point, and an overloaded signal peaks a piece of audio equipment, clipping the sound. The spelling is shared with the plural noun, so watch whether a subject comes before it.

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