amplitude

noun

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am·pli·tude | \ ˈam-plə-ˌtüd

, -ˌtyüd \

Definition of amplitude

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 More Example Sentences Phrases Containing amplitude Learn More About amplitude

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 Freestyle and Greco-Roman were second, because of the high-amplitude throws and the elite quality of the competition. — Oliver Lee Bateman, Men's Health, 14 June 2022 The simple serenity of Hurlin’s face, framed by cascading curls, is riveting, as is the daring amplitude of her expressive, singular dancing. — New York Times, 21 June 2022 The difference between any two whole magnitude numbers — say a 4 and a 5 — is a tenfold increase in amplitude as measured on a seismogram, according to the USGS. — Ben Brasch, ajc, 18 June 2022 Pilots can counter by hopping frequencies, or by boosting the amplitude of their broadcast signal. — The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 In quantum mechanics, a particle is described by a wave function, a kind of wave whose varying amplitude conveys the probability of finding the particle in different locations. — Katie Mccormick, Quanta Magazine, 16 May 2022 The development team says particular attention was paid to improving the SVR's ride over high-frequency bumps, although at lower speeds and over large-amplitude undulations the ride does feel firm. — Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 26 Apr. 2022 Maybe, if cases don’t rise sharply enough, or to a high enough amplitude, the country won’t get there with BA.2 at all. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2022 Gu, competing for her mother’s native China, took the lead after landing back-to-back corked 900s a first run that featured the biggest amplitude of the day, and then extended her lead on a similar second run, scoring 95.25. — USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amplitude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.