Altitude
/ˈæltɪˌtuːd/
nounBeginner📊CommonMeasurement
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
/ˈæltɪˌtuːd/
nounneutralBeginner
Measurement
Height above sea level or ground level.
The altitude of the mountain peak is 5,000 meters.
💡 Simply: How high something is.
More Examples
2
Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
How It's Used
Aviation
"The pilot announced the plane's altitude."
Geography
"The city is located at a high altitude."
Mountaineering
"They reached a considerable altitude on the mountain."
From Middle French *altitude*, from Latin *altitudo*, from altus "high"
The word has been used in scientific contexts since the 17th century, initially referring to astronomical measurements.
Memory tip
Think 'alti' for 'high' and 'tude' for 'attitude' (as in position).
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"height"
Base: altitude
high altitudelow altitudecruising altitudealtitude sickness
Common misspellings
altitutealtitutde
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written