altitude
the height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, especially above sea level on earth.
extent or distance upward; height.
Astronomy. the angular distance of a heavenly body above the horizon.
Geometry.
the perpendicular distance from the vertex of a figure to the side opposite the vertex.
the line through the vertex of a figure perpendicular to the base.
Usually altitudes. a high place or region: mountain altitudes.
high or important position, rank, etc.
Origin of altitude
1synonym study For altitude
Other words for altitude
Opposites for altitude
Other words from altitude
- al·ti·tu·di·nous [al-ti-tood-n-uhs, -tyood-], /ˌæl tɪˈtud n əs, -ˈtyud-/, adjective
Words that may be confused with altitude
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use altitude in a sentence
In short, the president deliberately dialed it down, stopping well short of the altitudes he is capable of reaching.
Why Obama Went Low Key in His Democratic Convention Speech | Howard Kurtz | September 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAutumn was already beginning; and, at these lofty altitudes, the first snows may fall as early as October.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. WigramEvery night was growing steadily colder, and we were all anxious to get down to lower altitudes.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 | Charles Kenneth Howard-BuryI shot, too, a common snipe, which I was very surprised to meet at these altitudes.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 | Charles Kenneth Howard-BuryOne or two of the coolies had quickly fallen victims to the high altitudes; but the rest seemed steadily to grow stronger.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 | Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
We naturally sought an answer to the interminable query as to how much melting took place at the highest altitudes.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 | Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
British Dictionary definitions for altitude
/ (ˈæltɪˌtjuːd) /
the vertical height of an object above some chosen level, esp above sea level; elevation
geometry the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the base of a geometrical figure or solid
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 (def. 1)
surveying the angle of elevation of a point above the horizontal plane of the observer
(often plural) a high place or region
Origin of altitude
1Derived forms of altitude
- altitudinal, adjective
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 altitude
[ ăl′tĭ-tōōd′ ]
The height of an object or structure above a reference level, usually above sea level or the Earth's surface.
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. See more at altazimuth coordinate system.
Mathematics The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure, such as a triangle, to the opposite vertex, side, or surface.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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