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height

noun
\ ˈhīt How to pronounce height (audio) , nonstandard ˈhītth How to pronounce height (audio) \

Definition of height

1a : 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
2a : 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
4a : 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 & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about height

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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

height, altitude, and elevation mean distance upward. height may be used in measuring something from bottom to top. The wall is ten feet in height. altitude is used in measuring the distance above a fixed level. A plane was flying at a low altitude. elevation is used in measuring the height to which something is raised. The elevation of the tower is 300 feet.

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Spain The current crop of Spaniards won’t reach the heights of the 2008 squad that nearly beat the United States for the gold medal in Beijing, but Spain remains a solid threat nonetheless in the FIBA World Cup. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Which FIBA World Cup Teams Are Real Threats to Team USA?," 23 Aug. 2019 The hunt for Amelia Earhart‘s plane is reaching new heights. — Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Man Who Found the Titanic Is Now Searching for Amelia Earhart's Plane," 13 Aug. 2019 But reaching such heights requires single-minded focus, Blevins told the Tribune last year. — John Keilman, chicagotribune.com, "‘I’m very obsessed … you could say addicted’: Former heroin user enters spotlight livestreaming video games from the Chicago suburbs," 13 Aug. 2019 Yet companies continue to go public and markets continue to reach new heights. — Polina Marinova, Fortune, "Why Investment Giant Carlyle Group Is Becoming a C-Corp: Term Sheet," 31 July 2019 Even if Ramos doesn’t reach those heights, there are several other homegrown outfielders with promising major league futures. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "Two ousted Giants executives created more trade deadline flexibility," 30 July 2019 Uptown in the next few years will be reaching new heights as buildings in the old Dallas neighborhood get taller and taller. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "For Uptown Dallas' sleepy Routh Street, it's high-rise and shine on the horizon," 29 July 2019 The club reached new heights last week when 15-year-old Dakota Brannan competed at the Hershey National Junior Olympic track and field championships in Sacramento, California. — Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "An Alaska pole vaulter reaches new heights with skills developed in his family’s backyard Quonset hut," 27 July 2019 And our obsession with denim has reached new heights: Americans purchase 450 million pairs of jeans per year. — Megan Ditrolio, Marie Claire, "ISKO—the Manufacturer Behind Reformation & Madewell—Is Developing Sustainable Denim," 23 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'height.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of height

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

History and Etymology for height

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

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More Definitions for height

height

noun
How to pronounce height (audio) How to pronounce height (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of height

: a measurement of how tall a person or thing is : the distance from the bottom to the top of a person or thing
: the condition of being tall
: the distance above a level or surface

See the full definition for height in the English Language Learners Dictionary

height

noun
\ ˈhīt How to pronounce height (audio) \

Kids Definition of height

1

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