WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
top′ dog′, 
    1. a person, group, or nation that has acquired a position of highest authority.
    2. the winner of a competition or rivalry;
      champion:He was determined to be top dog at the swimming meet.
    3. Animal Behaviorthe alpha male or alpha female in a dominance hierarchy.
    • 1885–1900
    top ′-dog′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
top dog n
  1. informal the leader or chief of a group
'top dog' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
bottom dog

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