altitude

noun

al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce altitude (audio)
 also  -ˌtyüd
1
a
: the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (such as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite
b
: the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon
c(1)
: a perpendicular line segment from a vertex (see vertex sense 2a) of a geometric figure (such as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended
(2)
: the length of an altitude
2
a
: vertical distance or extent
b
: position at a height
The plane lost altitude.
c
: an elevated region : eminence
usually used in plural
3
: a high level (as of quality or feeling)
the altitudes of his anger
altitudinal adjective
altitudinous adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for altitude

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 altitude in a Sentence

the air temperature at different altitudes Some visitors find it difficult to adjust to the city's high altitude. The plane lost altitude rapidly.
Recent Examples on the Web The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for these altitudes until Friday at 9 p.m., including areas of the Kaibab Plateau, Coconino Plateau, western Mogollon Rim, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, along with the cities of Jacob Lake and Grand Canyon Village. The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 Third Starship test far more successful than the first two in 2023 SpaceX's uncrewed Starship was on its way to a powered splashdown in the Indian Ocean about an hour after launch when signals were lost at an altitude of about 40 miles. USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Sonoma County has more than 13,000 acres of Pinot Noir vineyards that span from Alexander Valley in the north to Carneros in the south with altitudes ranging from over 2,500 feet all the way down to sea level. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 But keep in mind: A plane’s altitude doesn’t necessarily guarantee a picture-perfect view of the eclipse—if anything, there’s a chance that cloud coverage could impede an onlooker’s vantage. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 The spacecraft and satellite will continue to gradually move apart in altitude. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 The low levels of oxygen at this altitude is not only challenging for players, but vegetation too. Matias Grez, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 On Thursday morning, the company said the spacecraft had moved to a higher altitude and would land at 4:24 p.m. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 The aircraft is a pilot-plus-four passenger vehicle and is designed to cruise 120 mph at a 1,500-foot altitude to meet typical city operation needs of 25-to-40 mile trips, according to a press release from the company. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'altitude.' 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, "height, angular height of a celestial body above the horizon," borrowed from Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō "height, high position, downward extension, depth," from altus "extending upward, tall, high, extending downward, deep" + -i- -i- + -tūdin-, -tūdō -tude; altus going back to dialectal Indo-European *al-to- (whence also Middle Irish alt, allt "height, cliff," Welsh allt "hill, steep slope, cliff"), of uncertain origin

Note: Traditionally equated with Germanic *alđa- "old," and further to a verbal base *al- "nourish" (< Indo-European *h2el- "nourish, feed;" see old entry 1), on the assumption that the verbal adjective *al-to- "fully grown, nourished" leads to both "old" and "high." However, both the Latin and Celtic etyma refer primarily or exclusively to points situated above the ground, not human or animal growth, so such a connection is questionable.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of altitude was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near altitude

Cite this Entry

“Altitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altitude. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

altitude

noun
al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce altitude (audio)
1
a
: the angular height of a celestial object above the horizon
b
: the vertical distance of an object above a given level (as sea level)
c
: a perpendicular line from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle) to the opposite side or from one side or face to a parallel side or face
also : the length of such a line
2
: an elevated region
usually used in plural

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