altitude

American  

[al-ti-tood, -tyood] / ˈæl tɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. the height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, especially above sea level on earth.

   Synonyms:

   elevation

2. extent or distance upward; height.

   Antonyms:

   depth

3. Astronomy. the angular distance of a heavenly body above the horizon.

4. Geometry.

   1. the perpendicular distance from the vertex of a figure to the side opposite the vertex.

   2. the line through the vertex of a figure perpendicular to the base.

5. Usually altitudes. a high place or region.

   mountain altitudes.

6. high or important position, rank, etc.

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altitude British  

/ ˈæltɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. the vertical height of an object above some chosen level, esp above sea level; elevation

2. geometry the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the base of a geometrical figure or solid

3. Also called: elevation.  astronomy nautical the angular distance of a celestial body from the horizon measured along the vertical circle passing through the body Compare azimuth

4. surveying the angle of elevation of a point above the horizontal plane of the observer

5. (often plural) a high place or region

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altitude Scientific  

/ ăl′tĭ-to̅o̅d′ /

1. The height of an object or structure above a reference level, usually above sea level or the Earth's surface.

2. Astronomy The position of a celestial object above an observer's horizon, measured in degrees along a line between the horizon (0°) and the zenith (90°). Unlike declination and celestial latitude —the corresponding points in other celestial coordinate systems—the altitude of star or other celestial object is dependent on an observer's geographic location and changes steadily as the sky passes overhead due to the rotation of the Earth.

3. Astronomy See more at altazimuth coordinate system

4. Mathematics The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure, such as a triangle, to the opposite vertex, side, or surface.

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Related Words

See height.

Other Word Forms

• altitudinal adjective
• altitudinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of altitude

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin altitūdō; alti-, -tude

Example Sentences

These lakes are often located at high altitudes, sitting above river systems that help channel burst waters far downhill.

From The Wall Street Journal

Israel has a multi-layered air defence array, with a variety of systems intercepting threats at different altitudes.

From Barron's

This new research shows that smaller, regional storms can also play a powerful role by lifting water to higher altitudes, where it can escape more easily into space.

From Science Daily

Vertical Aerospace is still certifying aircraft for commercial service and isn’t as well-known as some of the other players trying to create a “low altitude economy,” including Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies.

From Barron's

Their small size and low altitude allow them to slip through aerial defence systems.

From Barron's

Related Words

• distance
• elevation
• peak