altitude
AL-tih-tood
/ˈæltɪtjuːd/
The vertical elevation or height of an object above a specific reference point, usually mean sea level.
Refers specifically to distance above sea level or ground level, distinct from general 'height'.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'altitudo', formed from 'altus' meaning high or deep. It entered Middle English through Old French to describe high places, before becoming a fundamental term in geometry, geography, and modern aeronautics.
Word relationships
- elevation: Elevation usually refers to fixed terrain heights above sea level, whereas altitude often refers to airborne objects.
- depth: Depth measures distance downward below a surface rather than upward.
Commonly confused with
- attitude: Altitude is vertical height; attitude is the orientation of an aircraft relative to the horizon.
Word family
- altitudinal (adjective): Relating to height or elevation above sea level.
Collocations
- cruising altitude
- gain altitude
- lose altitude
- high altitude
Example sentences
- "The airliner reached its cruising altitude of thirty-five thousand feet shortly after departing." Aviation cruise phase
- "At high altitude the chill was intense and oxygen was scarce." Historical aviation account
Memory hook
Think of an ALTITUDE meter climbing up an ALTAR high on a mountain. ALT = Height in the sky.
When not to use
Do not use 'altitude' to describe a person's physical height or the height of a standard building unless emphasizing extreme elevation above sea level.
Fun facts
- In aviation, pilots switch their altimeters to a standard atmospheric pressure setting when passing above transition altitude.
Related words
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