phrase General Slang

Topping out

· phrase · construction

The ceremony for placing the highest beam on a building.

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Definitions

1

The traditional ceremony when the final, highest structural beam is hoisted into place on a new building. Typically the beam is painted white, signed by the crew, and flown with an American flag and an evergreen tree lashed to it. Roots trace back to Scandinavian tree-topping rituals — bringing a tree to the top of the new structure to appease the spirits of the displaced trees. Now it's a crew milestone, an excuse for food, beer, and photos.

“Topping out's Friday — owner's springing for barbecue on the deck.”
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2

Also: finishing your apprenticeship. The day you 'top out' you're a journeyman. Often celebrated with a turn-out ceremony at the union hall.

“His topping out is next week — whole local's coming down for it.”
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Topping out In A Sentence

Topping out's Friday — owner's springing for barbecue on the deck.
His topping out is next week — whole local's coming down for it.

Origin & Usage

Ancient Scandinavian builders' tradition of placing a tree atop a new structure to honour the spirits of trees felled for timber. Carried into modern ironwork via German and English masons.

Variants top outtopping-out
Tags #construction#trades#ironwork#ceremony#union

People Also Ask

What does topping out mean in construction?

Topping out is the ceremony that marks placing the highest beam on a building.

How do you use topping out in a sentence?

For example: 'They held the topping out when the final beam went up on the tower.'

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