altitude

/ˌældəˈtud/

/ˈɑltɪtud/

Other forms: altitudes

The noun altitude refers to how high something rises: “The high altitude of the Himalayan mountain range slowed the progress of the hikers.”

Whether it refers to how high a plane is flying or to the height of a landform, the word altitude is used to describe an object’s elevation above a particular reference point. Altitude is typically measured from sea level, which is the average level of the sea’s surface. Something that is far above sea level — such as Mount Everest — is said to have a high altitude. Something closer to the ground — such as a plane approaching for landing — is said to have a low altitude.

Definitions of altitude

1. noun

   elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
   “the altitude gave her a headache”

   synonyms: height

   types:

   level

   height above ground

   ceiling

   (meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds

   ceiling

   maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions)

   absolute ceiling

   the maximum altitude at which an airplane can maintain horizontal flight

   combat ceiling, service ceiling

   altitude above which a plane cannot climb faster than a given rate

   type of:

   elevation

   distance of something above a reference point (such as sea level)
2. noun

   angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
   synonyms: ALT, EL, elevation

   type of:

   angular position

   relation by which any position with respect to any other position is established
3. noun

   the perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex (or side if parallel)
   type of:

   distance, length

   size of the gap between two places