amplitude
n. C / Un. the maximum height or strength of a wave, such as a sound wave or a radio signal. It measures how far a wave moves from its starting point.
n. the maximum displacement of a periodic wave from its equilibrium position. In physics and engineering, it determines the intensity or volume of the signal.
The radio station increased its signal amplitude.
The technician adjusted the amplifier to increase the sound's amplitude without causing distortion in the speakers.
By measuring the amplitude of the seismic waves, geologists can estimate the total energy released during an earthquake and determine its magnitude on the Richter scale.
Etymology tree Latin amplus Proto-Indo-European *-tu- Proto-Indo-European *-d- Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Italic *tūdō Latin -tūdō Latin amplitūdōder. Middle French amplitudebor. English amplitude Borrowed from Middle French amplitude, from Latin amplitūdō, from amplus (“large”). By surface analysis, ample + -itude.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Uncountable when referring to the general property of wave height; countable when referring to specific measurements or values.
Last updated May 7, 2026