Definition of elevationnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun elevation contrast with its synonyms?

The words altitude and height are common synonyms of elevation. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters
Denver is a city with a high elevation

When can height be used instead of elevation?

The words height and elevation can be used in similar contexts, but height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elevation Space enthusiasts come here for the exceptionally dark and high-altitude skies, which range from 11,000 to 14,000 feet in elevation. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026 Perennials enjoy the same benefits of the higher elevation while also popping beautifully against the stain of your garden bed like in the picture above. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026 View this post on Instagram Some of the highest elevations north of town could get up to around an inch in spots. Jonathan Myers, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is 600,000 acres with elevations ranging from about sea level to over 6,000 feet above sea level. Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elevation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • Platforming prominent names like Andrew Tate, the manosphere and its promotion on social media are being debated in all corners of society at present.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the city’s leading trade promotion agency, the event has grown over three decades into Asia’s foremost marketplace for film and television content.
    Faye Bradley, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Guests can trek with the chef into neighboring farmland to forage alongside the Hmong hill tribe for wild herbs such as mint, butterfly pea flowers, mushrooms, and acacia leaves.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
  • If time is not a factor at all, then linger on the rolling hills in front of the park’s amphitheater for fun people and dog watching.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
    Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Arborists work in a world of extreme heights and life-or-death consequences every day.
    Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • O’Brien’s endorsement of Mullin may help his ascent.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Streaks, and the art of front-running, have been defining in her ascent to and stay at the top of the sport.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Max Scherzer looks sharp, feels fresh Max Scherzer scraped his cleats on the back of the Minnesota Twins’ spring mound before stepping in for his first pitch on Friday.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The soft glow of lanterns against ancient mounds turns a seemingly simple walk into a reflective, cinematic journey through American history.
    Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Using a converted container ship, the IRGC fired a ballistic missile to simulate a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (EMP) detonation.
    Chuck DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
  • During summer, El Niños tend to ramp up high-altitude wind shear over the Atlantic, knocking potential hurricanes off kilter.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Offensively, advancements in overall team play, pace and screening have been at the forefront.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Although the biometric advancements started on the pitching side, there are tangible benefits for hitters too.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Anyone who has buttered and blitzed a mountain of mashed potatoes into a purée will understand.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Here revelers can soak up the sun, nibble on snacks from Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Grill (which houses a decadent 13,000-bottle wine cellar), or take in the panorama of the mountains above or the scene at the multilevel heated pool below.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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