picco
/ˈpik.ko/
The English word 'peak' can be translated into Italian as picco.
Picco is used to describe a sharp, pointed peak or a peak in a mathematical or physical sense. It is also used in technical, scientific or statistical contexts to describe a maximum value, such as a voltage peak (picco di tensione).
Meaning: mountain top (noun)
Which one should you use?
While picco refers to a sharp, pointed peak or a mathematical/physical peak, the word vetta is the more common word for the summit of a mountain in a general sense. For more formal contexts, you may use apice to indicate the highest point or apex or culmine as a formal or literary word to express the peak of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of picco is picchi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpik.ko/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on 1 of 2.
Did you know?
- The word picco is also used in Italian music production to describe 'clipping', when an audio signal exceeds the maximum limit and distorts.
- In Italian, you can describe a person's sudden anger as a picco di rabbia, treating the emotion like a sharp spike on a graph.
- While picco sounds like 'peak', it is a descendant of the Vulgar Latin word piccus, which originally referred to a pointed tool or a wood peck.
Examples in context
- Più alta è la temperatura di un oggetto, più velocemente vibrano i suoi elettroni e più corta è la lunghezza d'onda di picco della radiazione emessa.The higher the temperature of an object, the faster its electrons vibrate and the shorter the peak wavelength of the emitted radiation.This sentence demonstrates the use of picco in a technical context regarding radiation wavelengths.Tatoeba #13815157 by Guybrush88, translation #8715945 by Hybrid
- Secondo alcuni scienziati, l' apice delle loro ricerche è stato raggiunto quest'anno.According to some scientists, the peak of their research has been reached this year.
- Il culmine dell'arte rinascimentale si può ammirare in molte opere nelle gallerie italiane.The peak of Renaissance art can be admired in many works in Italian galleries.
- Dopo un'ora di faticosa camminata, siamo finalmente arrivati in vetta.After an hour of strenuous hiking, we finally reached the peak.
- La band ha raggiunto il picco della sua popolarità l'estate scorsa.The band reached the peak of their popularity last summer.
- Il picco della montagna è coperto di neve.The peak of the mountain is covered in snow.
- Hanno raggiunto il picco della montagna al tramonto.They reached the mountain peak at sunset.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are hiking in the Alps.
- AlessandroGuarda, possiamo vedere il picco da qui!Look, we can see the peak from here!
- MartinaSì, sembra molto ripido.Yes, it looks very steep.
- AlessandroPensi che raggiungeremo il picco entro domani?Do you think we will reach the peak by tomorrow?
- MartinaSpero di sì, Alessandro.I hope so, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry picco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
