altitude
noun
al·ti·tude
ˈal-tə-ˌtüd 
also -ˌtyüd
1
a
: the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (such as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite
b
: the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon
c(1)
: a perpendicular line segment from a vertex (see vertex sense 2a) of a geometric figure (such 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
: vertical distance or extent
b
: position at a height
The plane lost altitude.
c
: an elevated region : eminence
—usually used in plural
3
: a high level (as of quality or feeling)
the altitudes of his anger
Examples of altitude in a Sentence
the air temperature at different altitudes
Some visitors find it difficult to adjust to the city's high altitude.
The plane lost altitude rapidly.
Recent Examples on the Web
In this case, those images were captured by WorldView 3–a satellite at an altitude of 617 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
—
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024
While classic telecommunication satellites orbit as high as 35,000 kilometres from earth, constellation satellites are at just 600 kilometres altitude, greatly reducing latency and allowing for video streaming.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024
There were some radio blackouts caused by solar radiation on Friday, according to NOAA, and there’s a chance for stronger radiation—caused by the solar flare—through Monday that could pose risks to passengers and crew aboard aircraft at higher altitudes.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Whether hues of green, red, blue and even pink dance about in the sky is due to the altitude in which the collisions occur, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at the time.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altitude 
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Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024
While classic telecommunication satellites orbit as high as 35,000 kilometres from earth, constellation satellites are at just 600 kilometres altitude, greatly reducing latency and allowing for video streaming.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024
There were some radio blackouts caused by solar radiation on Friday, according to NOAA, and there’s a chance for stronger radiation—caused by the solar flare—through Monday that could pose risks to passengers and crew aboard aircraft at higher altitudes.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Whether hues of green, red, blue and even pink dance about in the sky is due to the altitude in which the collisions occur, as well as the composition and density of the atmosphere at the time.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altitude
Dictionary Entries Near altitude
Cite this Entry
“Altitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altitude. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
altitude
noun
al·ti·tude
ˈal-tə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: the angular height of a celestial object above the horizon
b
: the vertical distance of an object above a given level (as sea level)
c
: a perpendicular line from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle) to the opposite side or from one side or face to a parallel side or face
also
: the length of such a line
2
: an elevated region
—usually used in plural
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