amplitude

noun

am·​pli·​tude ˈam-plə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: such as

a

: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme

b

: the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value

2

: extent of dignity, excellence, or splendor

3

: the quality or state of being ample : fullness, abundance

… the long unerring lines, the sweep and amplitude of the great artist's stroke …

—Edith Wharton

4

mathematics : the angle assigned to a complex number when it is plotted in a complex plane using polar coordinates

called also argument

compare absolute value sense 2

5

: the height achieved on a jump by a snowboarder, skateboarder, skier, etc.

" … a lot of my strength in snowboarding is my amplitude … "

—Shaun White

Synonyms

• ambit
• breadth
• compass
• confines
• dimension(s)
• extent
• range
• reach
• realm
• scope
• sweep
• width

Examples of amplitude in a Sentence

the amplitude of Thomas Jefferson's interests—government, architecture, agriculture, science, philosophy—is truly awesome

Recent Examples on the Web

On the Turbo, the sound of the twin-turbo V-8 then fills the cabin, a delightful but refined roar that is slightly boosted in amplitude by the car’s sound system, still provided by Burmester on higher trims. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023

Each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in amplitude as measured on a seismogram, the agency says. —oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2023

In people with hypertension, the amplitude of the pulse wave is greater, because the heart must exert more force to overcome the resistance of the arteries. —Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023

Sound circuitry required similar scanning, with data in memory corresponding to the amplitude and frequency of the sound emanating from the speaker. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023

But as fast as many technology evolutions (plural) are, some tiers of development happen at a different pace and at a different amplitude. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023

So there’s an amplitude about 10 millivolts, that changes the voltage. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2023

In competition with these vessels, the whales increased the amplitude of their voice by 0.8 decibels with every 1.0 decibel increase in ambient noise. —Gabriella Sotelo, Treehugger, 14 July 2023

And there are lots of these different waves with all the different amplitudes. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin amplitūdin-, amplitūdō "size, extent, eminence, prestige," from amplus "more than adequate in size or extent, ample, eminent" + -i- -i- + -tūdin-, -tūdō -tude

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing amplitude

• amplitude modulation

• amplitude modulation

Kids Definition

amplitude

noun

am·​pli·​tude ˈam-plə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being ample : fullness, abundance

2

: extent sense 1, range

3

a

: the extent of a back-and-forth movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the midpoint to an extreme

b

: one half of the up-and-down extent of the vibration of a wave (as of alternating current)

Medical Definition

amplitude

noun

am·​pli·​tude ˈam-plə-ˌt(y)üd 

: the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: as

a

: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme

b

: the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value