ENGLISH
REFERENCE

altitude

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈæɫtəˌtud// UK //ˈæltɪtjˌuːd// al·ti·tude Archaic

n. the height of an object or place above sea level. You often hear this word when people talk about mountains or airplanes.

n. the vertical distance or elevation of an object or point in relation to a specified datum, typically sea level or the earth's surface.


SIMPLE

The plane flies at a high altitude.

CONTEXTUAL

As the hikers reached a higher altitude, they noticed the air became thinner and much colder.

COMPLEX

Commercial aircraft typically cruise at an altitude of thirty thousand feet to maximize fuel efficiency and avoid the turbulent weather patterns found in the lower atmosphere.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English, borrowed from Latin altitūdō (“height”), from altus (“high”).

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'at' ('at an altitude of'). When used in the plural, it typically refers to regions that are high above sea level.

© 2026 English Reference