顶端优势指植物的顶芽优先生长，对侧芽萌发、侧枝生长的抑制作用，也包括对侧枝、叶子生长角度的影响。

向日葵的顶端优势明显，单株不分枝，仅茎端长出一花盘；玉米、高粱的顶端优势也较强，一般不分枝。水稻、小麦的顶端优势在前期比较弱，萌生多级分蘖。番茄的顶端优势弱，能长出多分枝；柳树顶端优势极弱，无主茎、分枝的区别，树形松散。松科、柏科植物顶端优势强，对下部侧芽的抑制比上部侧芽的轻；形成宝塔形树冠。

枫树幼龄期顶端优势强，老龄时发生分枝。玉米顶芽分化为雄穗后，下部的侧芽开始分化为雌穗。光强低，土壤通气不良、缺水，顶端优势增强；氮素供应充足，顶端优势减弱。

Apical dominance is the phenomenon whereby the main, central stem of the plant is dominant over (i.e., grows more strongly than) other side stems; on a branch the main stem of the branch is further dominant over its own side branchlets.

Plant physiology describes apical dominance as the control exerted by the terminal bud (and shoot apex) over the outgrowth of lateral buds.