Altitude Definition, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：height above sea level (altitude)

altitude 🔊

/ˈæltɪtjuːd/

How high something is above sea level, often used for mountains and planes.

height above sea level 🔊

➕

/ˈhaɪt əˈbʌv siː ˈlɛv(ə)l/

Refers to the vertical elevation of a location or object relative to the average sea level, a key concept in geography and aviation.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'altitudo' (height), from 'altus' (high).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'ALT-itude' where 'ALT' sounds like 'alt' for 'alternate' or 'high', linking it to a high-up attitude or position.

📖 Example

The air gets thinner at a high altitude, making it harder to breathe when you climb a mountain. 🔊 The air gets thinner at a high altitude, making it harder to breathe when you climb a mountain.

🔗 Collocations

high altitude – a great height above sea level

low altitude – a small height above sea level

gain altitude – to climb or fly higher

🔄 Synonyms

elevation (n.) – The height of a place above sea level.

height (n.) – The measurement from base to top or from head to foot.

🚫 Antonyms

depth (n.) – The distance from the top down or from the front to the back.

sea level (n.) – The average level of the sea's surface.

🌱 Derivatives

altitudinal (adj.) – Relating to or varying with altitude.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'altitude' originated from Latin, emphasizing measurable vertical distance. It is a critical technical term in modern aviation, mountaineering, and geography, defining the precise height above sea level for flight paths, weather patterns, and high-altitude physiology studies.

Meaning 2：measured height (altitude)

altitude 🔊

/ˈæltɪtjuːd/

The specific measurement of how high a place or aircraft is above sea level.

Altitude measurement diagram: close-up of airplane cockpit altimeter gauge.

measured height 🔊

➕

/ˈmɛʒəd ˈhaɪt/

Denotes the specific numerical value representing how high an aircraft or geographical location is above sea level.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The city of Lhasa is famous for its high altitude, which attracts many tourists who want to experience the unique environment. 🔊 The city of Lhasa is famous for its high altitude, which attracts many tourists who want to experience the unique environment.

🔗 Collocations

cruising altitude – the constant height maintained during the main part of a flight

altitude sickness – illness caused by ascent to a high altitude

at an altitude of – used to specify a particular height

🔄 Synonyms

level (n.) – A position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.