WordGarden.ioaltitude
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈæltɪtjˌuːd/
US
- /ˈæltəˌtud/
Meanings
Noun
the height of something above sea level or above the ground
a perpendicular line from a vertex to the opposite side or its extension in geometry
Beyond the definition
Altitude isn't just about mountains! While we often think of altitude when scaling peaks like Everest, it simply refers to how high something is above a reference point – most commonly sea level. A pilot checks the altitude of their plane, a hiker feels the effects of altitude sickness as they climb, and even your city has an altitude. It's about vertical distance! Think of it like measuring up instead of across. You might say a hot air balloon is at a high altitude, or that Denver, Colorado, is known for its high altitude. And in geometry, an altitude is the straight up-and-down (perpendicular) height drawn from a corner to the opposite side.
Altitude describes the height of something above a given reference level, most frequently sea level. It's a crucial concept in many fields, from geography and aviation to physiology and meteorology. When we talk about the altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro, we're referring to its elevation above mean sea level – how far up it stretches into the sky.
But altitude isn't limited to mountains. Pilots use altimeters to measure their aircraft's altitude, ensuring safe flight paths and avoiding collisions. Meteorologists track changes in atmospheric pressure at different altitudes to predict weather patterns. And our bodies react to altitude; as you climb higher, the air gets thinner, potentially causing altitude sickness.
You may also encounter the word in a mathematics classroom. In geometry, an altitude is the perpendicular line segment drawn from a vertex of a shape, like a triangle, to the opposite side. While this is a specific technical use, it retains the core meaning of the word: a precise vertical measurement of height.
So whether you're planning a mountain climb, tracking a weather balloon, or simply describing how high something is, understanding altitude means grasping the concept of height relative to a fixed point – usually sea level.
Examples
- 1
Aviation
The plane reached its cruising altitude about ten minutes after takeoff.
- 2
Flight height
The rescue helicopter was flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet.
- Patternat an altitude of + height
at a height of that amount
- 3
Physical reaction
Some people get short of breath at high altitude.
- 4
Sports training
Many runners train at altitude before major competitions.
- Patterntrain at altitude
train in a place high above sea level
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Balloon flight
The balloon began to lose altitude as the air inside cooled.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- flight level
- vertical position
Contrast
- depth
- sea level
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- high altitude
- altitude sickness
- altitude above sea level
- gain altitude
Word family
Explore
- topography
- barometric pressure
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- altitudenoun
Forms
- altitudespluralnoun