height

noun

ˈhīt How to pronounce height (audio)
nonstandard
ˈhītth How to pronounce height (audio)
1
a
: the part that rises or extends upward the greatest distance : the highest part : summit
reached the height of the mountain
b
: the most advanced or extreme point of something : zenith
at the height of his powers
during the height of the violence
2
a
: the distance from the bottom to the top of someone or something standing upright
estimating the height of a tree
a woman of average height
six feet in height
b
: the extent of elevation above a level
The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level.
3
: the condition of being tall or extending upward a great distance
He was surprised by her height.
other ball players who have more height
4
a
: an extent of land rising to a considerable degree above the surrounding country
b
: a point or position that is advanced or extreme or that extends upward a great distance : a high point or position
afraid of heights
the heights and depths of love
5
obsolete : an advanced social rank
Choose the Right Synonym for height

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 height in a Sentence

What's the height of the building? These bushes grow to heights of up to five feet. a woman of average height We were measured for height and weight. The ride has a height requirement. You have to be four feet tall to ride. I was surprised by his height. The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level.
Recent Examples on the Web The jet stream tied to the low pressure system was slicing over the Mississippi and Ohio valleys and inducing shear, or a change of wind speed and/or direction with height. Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Instead, zoning would set height limits, setbacks and design standards for apartment buildings. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Frontier Airlines is taking traveling on a budget to new heights. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 The rollator has 7 inches of height adjustability and the option to adjust both the length and angle of the armrests to fit your body. Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2024 Anya Taylor-Joy compares her height with fellow co-presenter Chris Hemsworth. Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Mirroring the stock market's rally, rate-sensitive assets such as gold and bitcoin soared to unprecedented heights, with gold reaching $2,160 per ounce and bitcoin climbing to $70,000. Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 And now, the excitement reaches new heights as Wolf Run proudly announces the availability of its second phase. Prime Development, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 Check the manufacturer’s dimensions and other measurements, as some companies provide the countertop and overall height. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'height.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heighthe, from Old English hīehthu; akin to Old High German hōhida height, Old English hēah high

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of height was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near height

Cite this Entry

“Height.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/height. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

height

noun
1
a
: the highest part or point : summit, climax
b
: the most advanced or extreme point
the height of stupidity
2
a
: the distance from bottom to top of something
b
: the distance above a level
3
: the condition of being tall or high
4
a
: a landmass rising above the surrounding country
b
: a high point or position

Medical Definition

height

noun
: the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright
especially : the distance from the lowest to the highest point of an animal body especially of a human being in a natural standing position or from the lowest point to an arbitrarily chosen upper point
a man six feet in height
a dog two feet in height at the shoulder

More from Merriam-Webster on height

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!