Altitude

Pronunciation: /ˈæltəˌtud/

Definitions of altitude

noun a height above a given level, especially the sea level

Example Sentences

A1 The airplane flew at a high altitude.

A2 Hikers often experience altitude sickness when climbing mountains.

B1 Pilots need to be aware of changes in altitude during their flights.

B2 The balloon reached an altitude of 10,000 feet before descending.

C1 The astronaut experienced weightlessness at a high altitude in space.

C2 Mountaineers must acclimatize to high altitudes before attempting to summit Everest.

Examples of altitude in a Sentence

formal The aircraft reached a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

informal We hiked up to a high altitude and the view was breathtaking.

slang I can't handle the altitude up here, I need to catch my breath.

figurative The company's profits reached new altitudes this quarter.

Origin and Evolution of altitude

First Known Use: 1400 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'altitude' originated from the Latin word 'altitudo', which is derived from the word 'altus' meaning high or deep.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of height above sea level, the term 'altitude' has evolved to also refer to the angular distance of a celestial object above the horizon or the height of an object above the ground.