elevation
noun
el·e·va·tion
ˌe-lə-ˈvā-shən 
1
2
: a dancer's or an athlete's leap and seeming suspension in the air
also
: the ability to achieve an elevation
3
: an act or instance of elevating
4
: something that is elevated: such as
a
: an elevated place
b
: a swelling especially on the skin
5
: the quality or state of being elevated
6
: a geometrical drawing that depicts one vertical plane of an object or structure
Did you know?
When you're hiking, you may be interested in knowing the highest elevation you'll be reaching. Psychologists use the term "mood elevation" to mean improvement in a patient's depression, and some leg ailments require elevation of the limb, usually so that it's higher than the heart for part of each day. Elevation can also mean "promotion;" thus, a vice president may be elevated to president, or a captain may be elevated to admiral.
Examples of elevation in a Sentence
a plant species found only at higher elevations
We charted the elevations in her temperature.
Recent Examples on the Web
The North Rim is at a higher elevation, over 8,000 feet, than the South Rim, which averages about 7,000 feet above sea level.
—
Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
However, lower down in elevation, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) facility at Chajnantor Plateu faced more severe conditions, forcing all scientific operations to be suspended since June 26, 2025.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 14 July 2025
An extreme heat warning remains in effect through the middle of the week for elevations below 4,000 feet.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Highs in the afternoon across the fire elevations will be between 80 and 90 degrees, with 100 degrees expected in the valleys.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elevation
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Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
However, lower down in elevation, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) facility at Chajnantor Plateu faced more severe conditions, forcing all scientific operations to be suspended since June 26, 2025.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 14 July 2025
An extreme heat warning remains in effect through the middle of the week for elevations below 4,000 feet.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Highs in the afternoon across the fire elevations will be between 80 and 90 degrees, with 100 degrees expected in the valleys.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elevation
Cite this Entry
“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevation. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elevation
noun
el·e·va·tion
ˌel-ə-ˈvā-shən
1
a
: the height to which something is raised
b
: the height above sea level : altitude
2
: an act or instance of elevating
3
: an elevated place (as a hill)
4
: the quality or state of being elevated
Medical Definition
elevation
noun
el·e·va·tion
ˌel-ə-ˈvā-shən
1
: a swelling especially on the skin
2
: a usually abnormal increase (as in degree or amount)
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