elevation
eh-lih-VAYSHN
Elevation (noun) means the height of a place above sea level. Example: “Climbers often feel dizzy at high elevation because the air is thin.”
noun
1
The height of a place above sea level.
"Climbers often feel dizzy at high elevation because the air is thin."
"The village is built at a low elevation, close to the coast."
"The town sits at an elevation of nearly 2,000 metres."
2
The act of raising something, or the state of being raised, to a higher level or position.
"The elevation of the platform made the speaker easier to see."
"She welcomed the elevation of her legs after a long day on her feet."
"His elevation to team captain came as a surprise to everyone."
How to use elevation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow high a place is above sea level, or the act of raising something or someone to a higher position.
Common pairings
high elevation
elevation above sea level
gain in elevation
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Word forms
- Plural
- elevations
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Climbers often feel dizzy at high _____ because the air is thin.
Etymology
From Latin ēlevātiō, from elevate plus the noun suffix -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for elevation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for elevation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “elevation” mean?
The word “elevation” means the height of a place above sea level. In plain terms, how high a place is above sea level, or the act of raising something or someone to a higher position.
How do you pronounce “elevation”?
“Elevation” is pronounced eh-lih-VAYSHN (/ˌɛlɪˈveɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “elevation” in a sentence?
Here is “elevation” used in a sentence: “The town sits at an elevation of nearly 2,000 metres.”
What is the opposite of “elevation”?
The opposite of “elevation” — its antonyms — are disgust, demotion, depression, diminishment and reduction.
What part of speech is “elevation”?
“Elevation” is a noun.
Where does the word “elevation” come from?
The word “elevation” comes from Latin. From Latin ēlevātiō, from elevate plus the noun suffix -ion.
Is “elevation” a common word?
“Elevation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “elevation” have?
“Elevation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the height of a place above sea level.
What is the difference between 'elevation' and 'altitude'?
'Elevation' usually describes the height of a fixed point or place above sea level, such as a mountain or town. 'Altitude' more often refers to the height of a moving object, like an aircraft, above the ground or sea level.
What is the difference between 'elevation' and 'height'?
'Height' is a general measurement of how tall something is from its base to its top. 'Elevation' specifically measures how high a place or point sits above sea level.
When should you use 'elevation' instead of 'promotion'?
Use 'elevation' for the act of raising something or someone to a higher level or position, often in a formal or figurative sense, as in elevation to a higher rank. 'Promotion' refers more specifically to advancement in a job or organisation.
What prepositions are used with 'elevation'?
'Elevation' is commonly followed by 'above', as in 'elevation above sea level', and by 'of' when giving a figure, as in 'an elevation of 300 metres'.
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