altitude

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An altitude is how high up something or someone is from sea level.

You might hear about an airplane's cruising altitude, which is usually somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. When pilots talk about their altitude, they're not just interested in reaching a certain number – they need to know it because different altitudes affect the plane's air pressure and temperature. If you're planning a hike or a mountain climb, knowing your starting altitude is also important so you can track how much ground you've gained (or lost) as you go.

How common is "altitude"?

Word altitude is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.
Example: As the altitude increases, the temperature gets lower, so remember to bring warm clothes to the mountains.
A vertical distance.
(geometry) The line perpendicularly connecting a figure’s vertex, especially a triangle’s apex, to the side opposite to the vertex.
Example: All three altitudes of any triangle will always meet at point known as the orthocentre or orthocenter.
(geometry) The length of such a line; the distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the side opposite to the vertex.
Example: The perpendicular height of a triangle is known as its altitude.
(astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.
Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
(dated, in the plural) Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
Highest point or degree.
(commutative algebra, dated, of a ring) Krull dimension.
(commutative algebra, of an ideal) Height.

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Real examples of "altitude" in context

How Dangerous is a Penny Dropped From a Skyscraper?

Entertainment

through and at that altitude the air is 60

7:49

What allowed him to do this was the lack of air at that altitude.

7:41

altitude

How common is "altitude"?

noun

Real examples of "altitude" in context

How Dangerous is a Penny Dropped From a Skyscraper?

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