altitude

[al-ti-tood, -tyood]

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.

altitude

/ 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

altitude

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.

Other Word Forms

• altitudinal adjective
• altitudinous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of altitude¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of altitude¹

C14: from Latin altitūdō, from altus high, deep

Synonym Study

See height.

Example Sentences

The main reason for his unusual commute was to get back to high altitude, which can boost the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Girmay fretted that the worlds course, with its nearly 18,000 feet of climbing, was too much—that African riders, especially ones unused to Kigali’s mile-high altitude, would have trouble finishing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their small structure and ability to fly at low altitude mean they can fly much closer to a target than an aircraft could.

Read more on BBC

When they do reach lower altitudes, the result is typically a spectacular fireball, sometimes followed by tiny meteorites scattered across the ground.

Read more on Science Daily

After reaching a comfortable cruising altitude with victories over three consecutive AFC West foes, the team is headed for a patch of severe turbulence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distance 
• elevation 
• peak