elevation

noun

el·​e·​va·​tion ˌe-lə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce elevation (audio)
1
: the height to which something is elevated: such as
a
: the angular distance of something (such as a celestial object) above the horizon
b
: the degree to which a gun is aimed above the horizon
c
: the height above the level of the sea : altitude
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.

Choose the Right Synonym for elevation

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 elevation in a Sentence

a plant species found only at higher elevations We charted the elevations in her temperature.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My top pick, the Fellow Aiden ($365), is a powerful machine that can account for your local elevation and has special recipes for individual coffee beans—and yet contributing reviewer Pete Cottell managed a great mug within eight minutes of unpacking the box. Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2025 However, this diminishes at higher elevations as the high quality of view does not change much for each additional floor. John Walkup, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 In the Lake Tahoe area, a winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Thursday, with 6 to 12 inches of snow forecast above 7,000 feet elevation. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025 While mountains will see snow, rain is also expected across lower elevations. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elevation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elevation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

elevation

noun
el·​e·​va·​tion ˌel-ə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce elevation (audio)
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 How to pronounce elevation (audio)
1
: a swelling especially on the skin
2
: a usually abnormal increase (as in degree or amount)

More from Merriam-Webster on elevation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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