peaking

Peaking is the act or process of reaching a peak—the highest point, maximum value, or apex—of a quantity, attribute, or phenomenon. The concept is general and appears in many contexts. In mathematics and data analysis, a peak is a local maximum of a function or a mode of a distribution, and peak detection refers to algorithms that identify such maxima in data series. In signal processing and acoustics, peaking refers to a class of filters or equalizers that boost or attenuate frequencies near a center frequency; a peaking equalizer creates a bell-shaped response around that center.

In control theory and physics, peaking can describe the transient response of a system that overshoots a target value. In statistics, distributions may be described as peaked if they have a sharp maximum or high kurtosis, though the term "peaking" is less common.

In sports, fitness, and performance planning, "peaking" denotes the intentional timing of peak performance for a competition or event, typically achieved by tapering training load, refining nutrition, and ensuring rest and recovery. In daily life and economics, demand and utilization often exhibit daily or seasonal peaks; discussions of peak demand or peak oil refer to points after which production or consumption declines.