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

• scope
• extent
• realm
• width
• range
• confines

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

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

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

Rhymes for amplitude

• altitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude
• interviewed

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