Altitude
/ˈæltɪˌtuːd/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
/ˈæltɪˌtuːd/
nounneutralBeginner
General
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).
Practice
Base: altitude
altitutealtitutde
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written