Definition of elevationnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun elevation contrast with its synonyms?

The words altitude and height are common synonyms of elevation. While all three words mean "vertical distance either between the top and bottom of something or between a base and something above it," 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

When can height be used instead of elevation?

The words height and elevation can be used in similar contexts, but height refers to something measured vertically whether high or low.

a wall two meters in height

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of elevation This year's race also has the distinction of being the longest competition by distance and the most elevation gain to date for the modern iteration. Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026 Frozen conditions can arrive seemingly out of nowhere in Yellowstone due to its elevation. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026 Training at altitude was first popularised for endurance athletes after the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City which were held at an elevation of around 2,200m. Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 29 June 2026 The elevation gain from the parking lot to the peak is more than six thousand feet. William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elevation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevation
Noun
  • Anderson also faces a charge of possession, promotion, or production of certain visual material depicting a child, which is a state jail felony.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • Budweiser's free beer promotion for America's 250th and its own 150th anniversary quickly exhausted its initial $150,000 budget, disappointing many.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Kotagiri was once a hill station from the British era, and that’s why many of its older houses feature the same heavy stone masonry.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026
  • The rolling hills and pastureland of Vernon County are home to the highest concentration of organic farms in the state.
    Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The new boat actively stabilizes its ride height, roll, and pitch to minimize deck motion, ensuring safe pilot transfers even at high speeds.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
  • Raise mowing height during dry spells to promote deeper roots and conserve soil moisture.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • The princess trekked for 23 miles, with a total ascent of more than 10,000 feet and a driving distance of 462 miles between locations, per The Guardian.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 June 2026
  • On the right side, Luneau’s ascent to being a regular plus more consistent time for Ian Moore and Drew Helleson would at least give Verbeek default options.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Fittingly, on Saturday, Yamamoto took the mound against the Padres and threw seven shutout innings.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Joyce was on the verge of returning to the major leagues in late May, but he was shut down and didn’t get back on a mound for nearly a month.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The jet stream is a highway of air at high altitudes which steers weather systems.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • It was observed at an altitude of 500 feet, placing it within the typical flight path of low-flying commercial aircraft approaching the airport, according to the ATIS warning.
    Bonny Chu , Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The ratings draw on data from millions of actual workers, in postings on LinkedIn, Indeed and other sites that illustrate patterns in pay, retention and advancement.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Here is a list of the inventions and innovations, business advancements and manufacturing achievements our state pioneered in the past 250 years.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Sometimes finding the right trees can be an adventure, hiking into forests and mountains to find the oldest trees, patriarchs that hold centuries of information.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • And in the agricultural fields, and in the mountain towns, and in the Sahara.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elevation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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