amplitude

noun

am·​pli·​tude ˈam-plə-ˌtüd How to pronounce amplitude (audio)
-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

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
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.
When the wave arrives in shallow waters once again, the wave behavior would reappear, potentially leading to crashing, large-amplitude waves on shore. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 8 Oct. 2025 Blazy’s new silhouette for the house achieved exactly that by anchoring the form at the hips, liberating the upper body and waist, while enabling the skirts to emphasize the length of the leg and the amplitude of each step. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025 Computing the scattering amplitudes of relatively simple events can require adding thousands or even millions of terms. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025 The team first runs dynamic laboratory tests on generic soil samples to build reliable models, applying waves at different strain rates and amplitudes and comparing experimental results with simulations. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amplitude

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of amplitude was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amplitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amplitude. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

amplitude

noun
am·​pli·​tude ˈam-plə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce amplitude (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being ample : fullness, abundance
2
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 How to pronounce amplitude (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on amplitude

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