Altitude | Definition of altitude by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of ALTITUDE

1

a : the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon

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

c (1) : a perpendicular line segment from a vertex of a geometric figure (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 high level (as of quality or feeling) <the altitudes of his anger>

3

a : vertical distance or extent

b : position at a height

c : an elevated region : eminence —usually used in plural

— al·ti·tu·di·nal \ˌal-tə-ˈtü-d^ən-əl, -ˈtyü-\ adjective

— al·ti·tu·di·nous \-d^ən-əs\ adjective

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Origin of ALTITUDE

Middle English, from Latin altitudo height, depth, from altus high, deep — more at old

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ALTITUDE

Synonyms: height, elevation, inches, stature

Antonyms: lowland

Synonym Discussion of 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>.