First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
height
noun \ˈhīt, ÷ˈhītth\
: a measurement of how tall a person or thing is : the distance from the bottom to the top of a person or thing
: the condition of being tall
: the distance above a level or surface
Full Definition of HEIGHT
1
2
a : the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright b : the extent of elevation above a level
3
: the condition of being tall or high
4
a : an extent of land rising to a considerable degree above the surrounding country b : a high point or position
5
obsolete : an advanced social rank
See height defined for English-language learners
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Origin of HEIGHT
Middle English heighthe, from Old English hīehthu; akin to Old High German hōhida height, Old English hēah high
Related to HEIGHT
Synonym Discussion of HEIGHT
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>.
HEIGHT Defined for Kids
height
noun \ˈhīt\
Definition of HEIGHT for Kids
1
: the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright
2
: distance upward
3
: the highest point or greatest degree <She was at the height of her career.>
Synonym Discussion of HEIGHT
height, altitude, and elevation mean distance upward. height may be used in measuring something from bottom to top. <The wall is ten feet in height.> altitude is used in measuring the distance above a fixed level. <A plane was flying at a low altitude.> elevation is used in measuring the height to which something is raised. <The elevation of the tower is 300 feet.>
Medical Dictionary
height
noun \ˈhīt, ˈhītth\
Medical Definition of HEIGHT
: the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright; especially : the distance from the lowest to the highest point of an animal body especially of a human being in a natural standing position or from the lowest point to an arbitrarily chosen upper point <a man six feet in height> <a dog two feet in height at the shoulder>
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