elevation

Everyday

1. The height of a place above sea level: The town is at an elevation of 500 metres. tree →
2. Raising something or someone up, or moving someone to a higher rank: her elevation to captain. tree →
3. (technical) A flat drawing of one side of a building. tree →

In the lessons

In geography maps show elevation with colours and contour lines; in maths you compare and subtract elevations to find how much higher one place is. Phrases: «at an elevation of», «high elevation», «elevation above sea level».

Examples

• The village is at an elevation of 1,200 metres. tree →
• Plants are smaller at high elevation because it is cold and windy. tree →
• The map uses brown for high elevation. tree →
• The architect drew the front elevation of the house. tree →
• Her elevation to head girl surprised nobody. tree →
• Camp A is at 800 m and camp B at 1,300 m; the difference in elevation is 500 m. tree →

Note

Formal; casual speech says «height». From the verb «elevate» (raise). In maths, the difference in elevation = higher elevation minus lower elevation; below sea level is negative.

In Jewish tradition

In geography maps show elevation with colours and contour lines; in maths you compare and subtract elevations to find how much higher one place is. Phrases: «at an elevation of», «high elevation», «elevation above sea level».

Note

Formal; casual speech says «height». From the verb «elevate» (raise). In maths, the difference in elevation = higher elevation minus lower elevation; below sea level is negative.