状元 meaning - Chinese-English Dictionary 状元 狀元 [Pinyin] zhuàng yuán [English meaning] top scorer in the palace examination (highest rank of the Imperial examination system) see 榜眼 [bang3 yan3] and 探花 [tan4 hua1] top scorer in college entrance examination 高考 [gao1 kao3] (fig ) the most brilliantly talented person in the field leading light [Synonym] 进士,高明