elevation
gb/ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
quantity
1
height above sea level
The height of a place above the level of the sea.
Usage pattern:
[place] is at an elevation of [number]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "elevation" with "elevator". "Elevation" is a noun for height above sea level, while "elevator" is a machine that carries people or things between floors. Also, for airplanes, "altitude" is more common than "elevation".
Synonyms
altitude (Often used in scientific or technical contexts, and especially for aircraft or mountains.)
Antonyms
depth (Refers to distance below a surface, the opposite direction from elevation.)
Collocations
high elevation
|low elevation
|at an elevation of
|elevation above sea level
|average elevation
Themes
geography
|science
|travel
|nature
Examples
- Denver has an elevation of about 1,600 meters above sea level.
- Plants that grow at high elevation must survive colder temperatures.
- The village’s elevation makes it safe from flooding.
- As we climbed to a higher elevation, the air became noticeably thinner.
Learner examples
- This city is at a high elevation.
- The town’s elevation is 500 meters above sea level.
- At this elevation, it can snow even in spring.
- People sometimes feel sick at a very high elevation.
Noun
B2
action
2
act of raising or increasing
The act of moving something higher, or making a level, amount, or value go up.
Usage pattern:
the elevation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "elevation" for any change, even when the level goes down. "Elevation" only describes movement or change upward; for downward change, words like "drop", "fall", or "reduction" are used instead.
Synonyms
increase (More general and informal; can refer to any kind of going up, not just to a raised level or position.)
Antonyms
reduction (Focuses on making something smaller or lower, which is the opposite of an elevation in level or amount.)
Collocations
elevation of blood pressure
|elevation of temperature
|elevation in status
|slight elevation
|marked elevation
Themes
health
|science
|general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a slight elevation of her blood pressure after the test.
- The elevation of the bridge will allow larger ships to pass beneath it.
- Doctors are concerned about any sudden elevation in heart rate during exercise.
- The report notes a recent elevation in housing prices across the region.
Learner examples
- The doctor saw an elevation of his temperature.
- There was a small elevation in prices last year.
- An elevation in stress levels can harm your health.
- The elevation of the stage helped the audience see the speaker.
Noun
B2
entity
3
raised area of land
A small hill or raised area on the ground.
Usage pattern:
on an elevation
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with "elevation" meaning height above sea level. Here it refers to a particular piece of high ground, not to the measurement of height.
Synonyms
rise (A slightly informal word for a small hill or piece of high ground.)
Antonyms
depression (Refers to a low-lying area of land, the opposite of raised ground.)
Collocations
small elevation
|slight elevation
|natural elevation
|on a slight elevation
|rocky elevation
Themes
geography
|environment
|nature
Examples
- They built the house on a slight elevation to protect it from floods.
- From the elevation behind the village, you can see the entire valley.
- The campsite is on a natural elevation overlooking the lake.
- Soldiers took position on a rocky elevation above the road.
Learner examples
- We put the tent on a small elevation.
- The church stands on an elevation near the river.
- From this elevation, we can see the town below.
- Cows were grazing on a low elevation in the field.
Noun
formal
C1
action
4
promotion to higher position
When a person is given a higher job, title, or social position.
Usage pattern:
elevation to [position]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "elevation" for everyday job changes where "promotion" is more natural. "Elevation" is usually used in formal writing for high or important positions, especially in politics, law, or religion.
Synonyms
promotion (More common in everyday work situations; "elevation" is more formal, often used for high offices or titles.)
Antonyms
demotion (The official lowering of someone to a less important job or rank, the opposite of elevation.)
Collocations
elevation to the bench
|elevation to the presidency
|elevation to the board
|sudden elevation
|social elevation
Themes
work
|politics
|society
|business
Examples
- His elevation to the Supreme Court was widely praised.
- The mayor’s sudden elevation to national office surprised many voters.
- Her elevation to the board of directors marked a turning point in her career.
- Critics argued that his elevation to the role of chief executive was purely political.
Learner examples
- His elevation to manager came after many years of work.
- The newspaper reported her elevation to the position of ambassador.
- People celebrated his elevation to president of the club.
- Her elevation to a higher social class was very fast.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
5
side-view architectural drawing
A technical drawing that shows what one side of a building looks like from the front, back, or side.
Usage pattern:
[type] elevation of [building]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "elevation" here means physical height. In architecture, an elevation is a picture-like drawing of one side of a building, not the measurement of how tall it is.
Synonyms
side view (A more general description; does not always imply a precise, scaled architectural drawing.)
Antonyms
plan (A drawing that shows a building from above, contrasting with an elevation, which shows it from the side.)
Collocations
front elevation
|side elevation
|rear elevation
|north elevation
|scale elevation
Themes
architecture
|engineering
|design
|work
|housing
|education
Examples
- The architect presented the front elevation of the new museum to the planning committee.
- These drawings include floor plans, sections, and exterior elevations.
- The north elevation shows how the windows will line up with the existing building.
Learner examples
- The architect showed us the front elevation of the house.
- On this page you can see the side elevation of the building.
- The set of drawings has plans and elevations for the new school.
Noun
technical
C1
quantity
6
angle above the horizontal
The angle you look up from the ground to see something higher than you.
Usage pattern:
angle of elevation of [object]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "elevation" (angle above the horizontal) with "altitude" (height above sea level). In math and physics problems, "elevation" usually refers to the angle, not the height.
Synonyms
elevation angle (A near-technical synonym commonly used in engineering and satellite communication.)
Antonyms
angle of depression (The angle you look down from the horizontal to an object below you, opposite to angle of elevation.)
Collocations
angle of elevation
|elevation angle
|measure the elevation
|adjust the elevation
Themes
math
|physics
|science
|education
Examples
- The angle of elevation from the observer to the top of the tower was calculated to be 35 degrees.
- To align the satellite dish, adjust the elevation to the value given in the manual.
- Students used trigonometry to find the elevation of the airplane above the field.
Learner examples
- We learned how to find the angle of elevation in math class.
- The elevation of the star above the horizon changes during the night.
- You must change the elevation of the antenna to get a clear signal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elevation
IPA
GB/ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
el - ev - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: elevation
- Plural: elevation, elevations
Word family
Expressions
angle of elevation
1/ˈæŋɡəl əv ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
angle from ground up to object
The angle you must look up from a flat line to see something that is higher than you.
Examples
- They used the angle of elevation to the top of the building to calculate its height.
- In trigonometry, we often find the angle of elevation from an observer to an object like a kite or a plane.
at an elevation of
1/ˈæt ən ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
used to give altitude of place
Used before a number to say how high a place is above sea level.
Examples
- The town lies at an elevation of 900 meters.
- The lake, at an elevation of just 50 meters, rarely freezes in winter.
front elevation
1/fɹˈʌnt ˌɛləvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
drawing of a building’s front side
An architectural drawing that shows what the front of a building looks like.
Examples
- The front elevation clearly shows the main entrance and the large windows.
- The planning officer asked for a revised front elevation with a lower roof line.