altitude

noun

al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌtüd 

 also  -ˌtyüd

1

a

: the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (such as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite

b

: the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon

c(1)

: a perpendicular line segment from a vertex (see vertex sense 2a) of a geometric figure (such as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended

(2)

: the length of an altitude

2

a

: vertical distance or extent

b

: position at a height

The plane lost altitude.

c

: an elevated region : eminence

—usually used in plural

3

: a high level (as of quality or feeling)

the altitudes of his anger

altitudinal

ˌal-tə-ˈtü-də-nəl 

-ˈtyü-

adjective

altitudinous

ˌal-tə-ˈtü-də-nəs 

-ˈtyü-

adjective

Synonyms

• elevation
• height
• inches
• stature

Choose the Right Synonym for altitude

height, altitude, elevation mean vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it.

height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters

Denver is a city with a high elevation

Examples of altitude in a Sentence

the air temperature at different altitudes

Some visitors find it difficult to adjust to the city's high altitude.

The plane lost altitude rapidly.

Recent Examples on the Web

So far, however, climate modelers haven't been able to understand the effects of gravity waves that occur at higher altitudes. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2025

The findings offer new insights into the lifestyle and behaviors of one of our ancient ancestors, building on other recent research that found H. erectus lived at high altitudes in present-day Ethiopia. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025

The first stage burned for more than three minutes before the second stage separated at an altitude of 70 km. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025

Aircraft battling wildfires often fly at low altitudes, which could result in encounters with drones, such as mid-air collisions or pilot distractions. —Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "height, angular height of a celestial body above the horizon," borrowed from Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō "height, high position, downward extension, depth," from altus "extending upward, tall, high, extending downward, deep" + -i- -i- + -tūdin-, -tūdō -tude; altus going back to dialectal Indo-European *al-to- (whence also Middle Irish alt, allt "height, cliff," Welsh allt "hill, steep slope, cliff"), of uncertain origin

Note: Traditionally equated with Germanic *alđa- "old," and further to a verbal base *al- "nourish" (< Indo-European *h₂el- "nourish, feed;" see old entry 1), on the assumption that the verbal adjective *al-to- "fully grown, nourished" leads to both "old" and "high." However, both the Latin and Celtic etyma refer primarily or exclusively to points situated above the ground, not human or animal growth, so such a connection is questionable.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing altitude

• altitude sickness
• at altitude
• cruising altitude

Kids Definition

altitude

noun

al·​ti·​tude ˈal-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

a

: the angular height of a celestial object above the horizon

b

: the vertical distance of an object above a given level (as sea level)

c

: a perpendicular line from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle) to the opposite side or from one side or face to a parallel side or face

also : the length of such a line

2

: an elevated region

—usually used in plural