[height] n [ME heighthe, fr. OE hiehthu; akin to OHG hohida height, OE heah high] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the highest part: summit b: highest or most advanced point: zenith "at the ~ of his powers"
2. a: the distance from the bottom to the top of something standing upright b: the extent of elevation above a level
3: the condition of being tall or high
4. a: an extent of land rising to a considerable degree above the surrounding country b: a high point or position
5. obs: an advanced social rank syn 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 esp. in reference to vertical height on land "fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters" "Denver is a city with a high elevation".