amplitude
the state or quality of being ample, especially as to breadth or width; largeness; greatness of extent.
large or full measure; abundance; copiousness.
mental range, scope, or capacity.
Physics. the absolute value of the maximum displacement from a zero value during one period of an oscillation.
Electricity. the maximum deviation of an alternating current from its average value.
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.
Mathematics. argument (def. 8b).
Origin of amplitude
1Words Nearby amplitude
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use amplitude in a sentence
The amplituhedron is a simpler way of calculating amplitudes.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta Magazine“We build a shape, and the volume of the shape gives me an amplitude,” said Arkani-Hamed.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThe somewhat clunky prevailing method for calculating amplitudes is something called a Feynman diagram, named for its inventor, Richard Feynman.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta MagazineInstead, they’re described by an amplitude, which is like a probability that the collision plays out in a given way.
A Mathematician’s Unanticipated Journey Through the Physical World | Kevin Hartnett | December 16, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThey’ve also shown that three-point amplitudes serve as the building blocks of four- and higher-point amplitudes involving more and more particles.
Fairly or not, many people see that kind of amplitude of girth as a sign of irresponsibility or lack of discipline or something.
And Romney spoke at a lower pitch and used more tonal amplitude.
Mark McKinnon: Obama Has to Dumb It Down at Hofstra Debate | Mark McKinnon | October 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe proof is wrought out in detail, with great amplitude of evidence, acuteness of argument, and to an irresistible conclusion.
The intensity of any light depends upon the amplitude of the corresponding vibration, and its color depends upon the wave length.
A Text-Book of Astronomy | George C. ComstockTheir historic lore and unequaled grandeur give them amplitude and poetry enough to kindle and enrich the imagination.
Your National Parks | Enos A. MillsThe amplitude of a star is its distance from the prime vertical, measured on the horizon, north or south.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer | Florence M. GrimmThe difference is due to the greater amplitude of vibration caused by more energy being used.
Physics | Willis Eugene Tower
British Dictionary definitions for amplitude
/ (ˈæmplɪˌtjuːd) /
greatness of extent; magnitude
abundance or copiousness
breadth or scope, as of the mind
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
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
physics the maximum variation from the zero or mean value of a periodically varying quantity
Origin of amplitude
1Collins 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
[ ăm′plĭ-tōōd′ ]
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.
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
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.
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