altitude
The height of a place or object above sea level or above the ground, usually shown as a number.
The vertical height of a place, object, or point in the air above sea level or the ground, usually given as a measurement.
In math, a line from a corner of a triangle straight down to the opposite side, making a 90-degree angle with that side.
In geometry, a line segment drawn from a vertex of a triangle or other figure that meets the opposite side or its extension at a right angle, representing the perpendicular distance to the base.
In astronomy, the angle that shows how high a star, the Sun, or another object is in the sky above the line of the horizon.
In astronomy and navigation, the angle of a celestial object measured upward from the horizon to the object along a vertical circle.
- Base: altitude
- Plural: altitude, altitudes
altitude training
1sports training done at high altitude
Exercise and sports training done at high altitude so that the body learns to work with less oxygen and then performs better at lower altitudes.
- The marathon team traveled to the mountains for three weeks of altitude training.
- Altitude training is common among professional cyclists before major races.
- Her coach believes that altitude training gives athletes a competitive edge.
at an altitude of
1located at a measured altitude
Used to say how high something is above sea level or the ground, before giving a number.
- The village lies at an altitude of 1,500 meters.
- The helicopter was flying at an altitude of about 2,000 feet.
- They grew special crops that can survive at an altitude of over 3,000 meters.
at high altitude
1located very high above sea level
Used to say that something is very high above sea level, in a place where the air is thinner.
- It’s harder to breathe at high altitude because there is less oxygen.
- Athletes often train at high altitude to improve their performance.
- Cooking times can change at high altitude due to lower air pressure.
gain altitude
1move higher above ground or sea level
To go higher in the air so that your height above the ground or sea level becomes greater, especially about planes, birds, or climbers.
- The aircraft began to gain altitude shortly after takeoff.
- As the hot air balloon heated up, it started to gain altitude.
- The hikers slowly gained altitude as they climbed the steep trail.
lose altitude
1move lower above ground or sea level
To go lower in the air so that your height above the ground or sea level becomes smaller, especially about planes, birds, or balloons.
- The plane began to lose altitude due to engine trouble.
- As the air cooled, the balloon slowly lost altitude.
- The pilot deliberately lost altitude to prepare for landing.
altitude sickness
1illness from being at high altitude
A health problem with headache, sickness, and tiredness that some people get when they go too high above sea level too quickly.
- Climbers can get altitude sickness if they go up too fast.
- Several climbers had to stop because of severe altitude sickness.
- He had to stop hiking due to altitude sickness.
- Drinking plenty of water can help reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Tourists are advised to ascend slowly to avoid altitude sickness.