height

noun

ˈhīt 

nonstandard

ˈhītth 

1

a

: the part that rises or extends upward the greatest distance : the highest part : summit

reached the height of the mountain

b

: the most advanced or extreme point of something : zenith

at the height of his powers

during the height of the violence

2

a

: the distance from the bottom to the top of someone or something standing upright

estimating the height of a tree

a woman of average height

six feet in height

b

: the extent of elevation above a level

The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level.

3

: the condition of being tall or extending upward a great distance

He was surprised by her height.

other ball players who have more height

4

a

: an extent of land rising to a considerable degree above the surrounding country

b

: a point or position that is advanced or extreme or that extends upward a great distance : a high point or position

afraid of heights

the heights and depths of love

5

obsolete : an advanced social rank

Synonyms

• acme
• apex
• apogee
• capstone
• climax
• crescendo
• crest
• crown
• culmination
• head
• high noon
• high-water mark
• meridian
• ne plus ultra
• noon
• noontime
• peak
• pinnacle
• sum
• summit
• tip-top
• top
• zenith

Choose the Right Synonym for height

height, altitude, elevation mean vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it.

height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

altitude and elevation apply to height as measured by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude is preferable when referring to vertical distance above the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation is used especially in reference to vertical height on land.

fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters

Denver is a city with a high elevation

Examples of height in a Sentence

What's the height of the building?

These bushes grow to heights of up to five feet.

a woman of average height

We were measured for height and weight.

The ride has a height requirement. You have to be four feet tall to ride.

I was surprised by his height.

The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her vision for the team is clear: to build a culture of excellence that honors the franchise’s history while pushing it toward new heights. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024

The price of typical luxury hotels and resorts is reaching eye-watering heights. —Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Panicle hydrangeas can be pruned heavily to encourage a compact size and larger flower heads, simply cut stems to a height of 18 to 24 inches. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024

The danger was minimal, however, because the wave heights were only between 4.3 and 2.3 inches. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heighthe, from Old English hīehthu; akin to Old High German hōhida height, Old English hēah high

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing height

• at full height
• at the height of
• height to paper
• in height
• slant height
• the height of
• to (one's) full height
• x-height

Kids Definition

height

noun

ˈhīt  ˈhītth 

1

a

: the highest part or point : summit, climax

b

: the most advanced or extreme point

the height of stupidity

2

a

: the distance from bottom to top of something

b

: the distance above a level

3

: the condition of being tall or high

4

a

: a landmass rising above the surrounding country

b

: a high point or position

Medical Definition

height

noun

ˈhīt  ˈhītth 

: the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright

especially : the distance from the lowest to the highest point of an animal body especially of a human being in a natural standing position or from the lowest point to an arbitrarily chosen upper point

a man six feet in height

a dog two feet in height at the shoulder