amplitude

[ am-pli-tood, -tyood ]
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noun
  1. the state or quality of being ample, especially as to breadth or width; largeness; greatness of extent.

  2. large or full measure; abundance; copiousness.

  1. mental range, scope, or capacity.

  2. Physics. the absolute value of the maximum displacement from a zero value during one period of an oscillation.

  3. Electricity. the maximum deviation of an alternating current from its average value.

  4. Astronomy. the arc of the horizon measured from the east or west point to the point where a vertical circle through a heavenly body would intersect the horizon.

  5. Mathematics. argument (def. 8b).

Origin of amplitude

1
From the Latin word amplitūdō, dating back to 1540–50. See ample, -i-, -tude

Words Nearby amplitude

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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British Dictionary definitions for amplitude

amplitude

/ (ˈæmplɪˌtjuːd) /


noun
  1. greatness of extent; magnitude

  2. abundance or copiousness

  1. breadth or scope, as of the mind

  2. astronomy the angular distance along the horizon measured from true east or west to the point of intersection of the vertical circle passing through a celestial body

  3. Also called: argument maths (of a complex number) the angle that the vector representing the complex number makes with the positive real axis. If the point (x, y) has polar coordinates (r, θ), the amplitude of x + i y is θ, that is, arctan y/x: Compare modulus (def. 2) See also Argand diagram

  4. physics the maximum variation from the zero or mean value of a periodically varying quantity

Origin of amplitude

1
C16: from Latin amplitūdō breadth, from amplus spacious

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for amplitude

amplitude

[ ămplĭ-tōōd′ ]


  1. Physics One half the full extent of a vibration, oscillation, or wave. The amplitude of an ocean wave is the maximum height of the wave crest above the level of calm water, or the maximum depth of the wave trough below the level of calm water. The amplitude of a pendulum swinging through an angle of 90° is 45°. Compare frequency.

  2. Electronics The amount by which a voltage or current changes from zero or an average value.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for amplitude

amplitude

In physics, the height of a crest (or the depth of a trough) of a wave.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.