Elevation: meaning, definitions and examples

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elevation

 

[ ˌɛləˈveɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mountain climbing

The height above sea level of a point on the earth's surface.

Synonyms

altitude, height, level.

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Word Description / Examples
elevation

Used in a more formal or technical context referring to the height above a specific point, usually sea level, often in geography, construction, or aviation.

  • The city is situated at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level
altitude

Commonly used in aviation or mountaineering to describe the height of an object or location above sea level or ground level.

  • The plane is flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet
height

A general term used in everyday language to describe how tall something or someone is, either vertically or from top to bottom.

  • The height of that building is impressive
level

Typically used to describe a specific horizontal plane such as the floors of a building, stages of a process, or a condition of equality. It can also refer to the amount of something.

  • Please go to the third level of the parking garage

Examples of usage

  • The elevation of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters.
  • The hikers struggled with the high elevation.
Context #2 | Noun

architecture

The vertical distance from a given level to a point or object.

Synonyms

floor, height, level.

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Word Description / Examples
elevation

Used when referring to the height of a geographic location above a fixed reference point, often sea level. Common in discussing topography and buildings.

  • The city's elevation is about 500 meters above sea level.
  • The elevation of the mountain peak makes it a challenging climb.
height

Generally used to describe the measurement of how tall someone or something is. Applicable to people, buildings, and objects.

  • The height of the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters.
  • She is concerned about her child's height compared to others in his age group.
level

Can refer to a specific height or floor in a building, but also often used to indicate a degree or standard. It has a more versatile use.

  • Move up to the next level to find the boss fight in the game.
  • The water level in the tank has dropped significantly.
floor

Refers to a specific level in a building. Common in architecture, real estate, and daily use when talking about parts of a building.

  • She lives on the third floor of the apartment building.
  • Please meet me in the conference room on the second floor.

Examples of usage

  • The elevation of the building was carefully designed.
  • The architect presented the different elevations of the house.
Context #3 | Noun

emotions

The act of lifting someone up or making them feel better.

Synonyms

boost, raise, uplift.

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Word Description / Examples
elevation

Use 'elevation' when referring to an increase in physical height or altitude, or when discussing an improved status or position in a formal context.

  • The town is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters above sea level.
  • His elevation to the position of CEO was well-deserved.
uplift

Use 'uplift' when discussing moral, emotional, or spiritual improvement or elevation. It suggests a positive and inspirational change.

  • The speech was intended to uplift the spirits of the audience.
  • She felt an uplift in her mood after talking to her friend.
boost

Use 'boost' when describing a significant improvement or increase in something, often in terms of energy, confidence, or performance.

  • The new marketing strategy gave the company's sales a significant boost.
  • She needed a boost of confidence before her big presentation.
raise

Use 'raise' in contexts involving lifting something to a higher position, increasing a quantity or level, or bringing up a subject. It also commonly refers to an increase in salary or wages.

  • He had to raise his voice to be heard over the noise.
  • The workers are hoping for a raise in their wages.

Examples of usage

  • Her kind words were an elevation to my spirits.
  • He provided emotional elevation during a difficult time.

Translations

Translations of the word "elevation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 elevação

🇮🇳 ऊँचाई

🇩🇪 Erhebung

🇮🇩 ketinggian

🇺🇦 висота

🇵🇱 wzniesienie

🇯🇵 上昇 (じょうしょう)

🇫🇷 élévation

🇪🇸 elevación

🇹🇷 yükseklik

🇰🇷 고도

🇸🇦 ارتفاع

🇨🇿 vyvýšení

🇸🇰 vyvýšenie

🇨🇳 提升

🇸🇮 višina

🇮🇸 hækkun

🇰🇿 биіктік

🇬🇪 ამაღლება

🇦🇿 yüksəklik

🇲🇽 elevación

Etymology

The word 'elevation' originated in the 16th century from the Latin word 'elevatio', meaning a lifting up or raising. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various meanings related to height, level, and emotional upliftment. The concept of elevation is fundamental in geography, architecture, and psychology, reflecting the importance of vertical distance and positive influence in different contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,881, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.