Crest means the highest point or top of something. When you hike up a steep hill and finally reach the very top, you've reached the crest. Ocean waves have crests too: that's the foamy white peak right before the wave crashes down.

In nature, many birds have crests on their heads. A blue jay's crest is that pointed tuft of feathers that stands up like a little crown. Cardinals, cockatoos, and many other birds have crests they can raise or lower depending on their mood.

The word also refers to a special design or symbol that represents a family, school, or organization. A family crest might appear on old documents or jewelry, showing symbols meaningful to that family's history. Your school might have a crest on its flag or uniforms, usually including images or words that represent what the school values.

When something crests, it reaches its highest point. Floodwaters crest when they reach their maximum height before starting to go back down. A runner might feel their energy crest in the middle of a race, that moment when they feel strongest before beginning to tire.