altitude

noun

al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce altitude (audio)
 also  -ˌtyüd
1
a
: the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (such as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite
b
: the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon
c(1)
: a perpendicular line segment from a vertex (see vertex sense 2a) of a geometric figure (such as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended
(2)
: the length of an altitude
2
a
: vertical distance or extent
b
: position at a height
The plane lost altitude.
c
: an elevated region : eminence
usually used in plural
3
: a high level (as of quality or feeling)
the altitudes of his anger
altitudinal adjective
altitudinous adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for altitude

height, altitude, elevation mean vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it.

height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

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

Examples of altitude in a Sentence

the air temperature at different altitudes Some visitors find it difficult to adjust to the city's high altitude. The plane lost altitude rapidly.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Whether hues of green, red, blue and even pink dance about in the sky depends on the altitude where the collisions occur, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at the time. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 The plane, a Mooney M20 with two passengers, climbed to about 2,100 feet and 110 miles per hour before rapidly losing altitude about 1:45 p.m., according to its flight track log. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 The Uco Valley of Mendoza in Argentina is very kind to Malbec, the higher the altitude the better, and this one is at 1,350 meters above sea level. John Mariani, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 The idea is that the visible and infrared cameras can make a visual identification of the intruder while the eye-harmless laser provides information about distance and altitude to help with analysis. David Szondy, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for altitude 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "height, angular height of a celestial body above the horizon," borrowed from Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō "height, high position, downward extension, depth," from altus "extending upward, tall, high, extending downward, deep" + -i- -i- + -tūdin-, -tūdō -tude; altus going back to dialectal Indo-European *al-to- (whence also Middle Irish alt, allt "height, cliff," Welsh allt "hill, steep slope, cliff"), of uncertain origin

Note: Traditionally equated with Germanic *alđa- "old," and further to a verbal base *al- "nourish" (< Indo-European *h2el- "nourish, feed;" see old entry 1), on the assumption that the verbal adjective *al-to- "fully grown, nourished" leads to both "old" and "high." However, both the Latin and Celtic etyma refer primarily or exclusively to points situated above the ground, not human or animal growth, so such a connection is questionable.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of altitude was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near altitude

Cite this Entry

“Altitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altitude. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

altitude

noun
al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce altitude (audio)
1
a
: the angular height of a celestial object above the horizon
b
: the vertical distance of an object above a given level (as sea level)
c
: a perpendicular line from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle) to the opposite side or from one side or face to a parallel side or face
also : the length of such a line
2
: an elevated region
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on altitude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!