altitude
altitude Lexical Profile
altitude Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
"The commercial airliner reached its cruising altitude of thirty-five thousand feet shortly after takeoff."
A place or region located at a considerable height above sea level (usually used in the plural).
"Athletes often train at high altitudes to improve their cardiovascular endurance."
In geometry, the perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure, such as a triangle or pyramid, to its opposite vertex or parallel side.
"To calculate the area of the triangle, multiply the length of its base by its altitude and divide by two."
In astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body above or below the horizon, measured along a vertical circle.
"Mariners historically used a sextant to measure the altitude of the sun at noon to determine their latitude."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Altitude' and 'elevation' are often used interchangeably, but 'altitude' typically refers to the vertical distance of an object (like an aircraft) above sea level or the ground, whereas 'elevation' refers to the height of a fixed geographical point on the Earth's surface above sea level.
• Rhymes for altitude
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Latin altitudo ('height, highness, depth'), derived from altus ('high, deep').