Record-breaking

Surpassing the best result that had previously been officially recorded.

Reach for it when celebrating a verified new high in performance, scale, or speed

A record-breaking turnout filled every volunteer shift before noon.

• playful

  best-ever

  when a plain informal superlative suits the audience

  not when Best-ever can reflect opinion unless the measure is specified.

• everyday

  historic

  when lasting significance matters more than a numerical best

  not when A historic event may be important without breaking any record.

• professional

  all-time high

  when the measured peak itself should be named

  not when All-time high is a noun phrase for the level, not a general adjective for the event.

• professional

  chart-topping

  when rank on a published music or sales chart is meant

  not when Chart-topping is limited to ranked popularity, not every measurable achievement.

• formal

  landmark

  when the achievement marks an important stage

  not when Landmark praises importance rather than exceeding a prior maximum.

• formal

  unprecedented

  when nothing comparable is known to have happened before

  not when Unprecedented does not require a measured record and can be used too loosely.

• ordinary
• subpar
• record-low

• record-breaking performance

  The record-breaking performance combined fast pacing with flawless exchanges.

• record-breaking year

  A record-breaking year brought the food bank more donors and more requests.

• record-breaking number

  A record-breaking number of residents voted in the neighborhood election.