elevation

noun

el·​e·​va·​tion ˌe-lə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the height to which something is elevated: such as

a

: the angular distance of something (such as a celestial object) above the horizon

b

: the degree to which a gun is aimed above the horizon

c

: the height above the level of the sea : altitude

2

: a dancer's or an athlete's leap and seeming suspension in the air

also : the ability to achieve an elevation

3

: an act or instance of elevating

4

: something that is elevated: such as

a

: an elevated place

b

: a swelling especially on the skin

5

: the quality or state of being elevated

6

: a geometrical drawing that depicts one vertical plane of an object or structure

Did you know?

When you're hiking, you may be interested in knowing the highest elevation you'll be reaching. Psychologists use the term "mood elevation" to mean improvement in a patient's depression, and some leg ailments require elevation of the limb, usually so that it's higher than the heart for part of each day. Elevation can also mean "promotion;" thus, a vice president may be elevated to president, or a captain may be elevated to admiral.

Synonyms

• advancement
• ascent
• creation
• preference
• preferment
• promotion
• rise
• upgrade
• upgrading

Choose the Right Synonym for elevation

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 elevation in a Sentence

a plant species found only at higher elevations

We charted the elevations in her temperature.

Recent Examples on the Web

The elevation alludes to her realm of experiences in California and New York. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024

Gusty winds are expected Friday afternoon and some higher elevations in New England could see gusts up to 55 mph. —Max Golembo, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

The new species lives in the mountains between elevations of 8,200 and 11,500 feet. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

While its downtown area is chock-full of shops, restaurants, and cafes, don't forget to find some elevation by hiking or climbing Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park. —Erinne Magee, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

The space shuttle is launched with the aid of huge rocket boosters not shown in the photo and only reaches top speeds at elevations where there is virtually no air resistance. —Kim Breen, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

Before this year, only 17 men – and no women – had ever completed all five loops of the race, which covers somewhere between 100 and 130 miles and takes in 63,000 feet of elevation – more than twice the height of Mount Everest. —George Ramsay, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

Temperatures at elevations as low as 3,000 feet could reach freezing levels by late Thursday and Friday across the Southland — the lowest elevation for snow seen this winter and spring season, said Rich Thompson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Near La Crosse, with the temperature at or near freezing and the variable elevations in the area, snow accumulation reports varied dramatically. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elevation

• angle of elevation

Kids Definition

elevation

noun

el·​e·​va·​tion ˌel-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the height to which something is raised

b

: the height above sea level : altitude

2

: an act or instance of elevating

3

: an elevated place (as a hill)

4

: the quality or state of being elevated

Medical Definition

elevation

noun

el·​e·​va·​tion ˌel-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: a swelling especially on the skin

2

: a usually abnormal increase (as in degree or amount)