height
Pronounced:
/ˈhaɪt/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural heightsMeaning:
1 : a measurement of how tall a person or thing is : the distance from the bottom to the top of a person or thing [count] ▪ What's the height of the building? ▪ These bushes grow to heights of up to five feet. [noncount] ▪ a woman of average height ▪ We were measured for height and weight. ▪ The ride has a height requirement. You have to be four feet tall to ride. ▪ He is six feet in height. [=(more commonly) he is six feet tall] ▪ She rose/stood (up) to her full height. [=she stood straight up] —see picture at geometry
2 [noncount] : the condition of being tall ▪ I was surprised by his height.
3 [count] : the distance above a level or surface ▪ The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level. ▪ The height of the ceiling is eight feet. [=the ceiling is eight feet above the floor; the ceiling is eight feet high]
4 [count] a : a great distance above the ground ▪ It was frightening to look down from such a dizzying/great height. —usually plural ▪ I'm afraid of heights. b : an area that is higher than the areas around it ▪ The soldiers left the height they were defending. —usually plural —often used in the names of places ▪ We used to live in Washington Heights. ▪ the Golan Heights
5 [singular] : the most advanced or extreme point of something ▪ During the height of the violence, dozens of people lost their lives. ▪ He was at the height of his fame when he died. [=he died when he was most famous] ▪ At its height, their civilization was the greatest in the world.
6 heights [plural] : very good or successful levels ▪ Her popularity rose/soared to great heights. ▪ They have taken the company to new heights.
7 the height of —used to say that something is an extreme example of something ▪ It was the height of stupidity to quit the team. [=it was extremely stupid to quit the team] ▪ the height of arrogance/folly/hypocrisy ▪ Long skirts are now the height of fashion. [=are now extremely fashionable] ▪ the height of style/luxury
2 [noncount] : the condition of being tall ▪ I was surprised by his height.
3 [count] : the distance above a level or surface ▪ The land reaches a height of 600 feet above sea level. ▪ The height of the ceiling is eight feet. [=the ceiling is eight feet above the floor; the ceiling is eight feet high]
4 [count] a : a great distance above the ground ▪ It was frightening to look down from such a dizzying/great height. —usually plural ▪ I'm afraid of heights. b : an area that is higher than the areas around it ▪ The soldiers left the height they were defending. —usually plural —often used in the names of places ▪ We used to live in Washington Heights. ▪ the Golan Heights
5 [singular] : the most advanced or extreme point of something ▪ During the height of the violence, dozens of people lost their lives. ▪ He was at the height of his fame when he died. [=he died when he was most famous] ▪ At its height, their civilization was the greatest in the world.
6 heights [plural] : very good or successful levels ▪ Her popularity rose/soared to great heights. ▪ They have taken the company to new heights.
7 the height of —used to say that something is an extreme example of something ▪ It was the height of stupidity to quit the team. [=it was extremely stupid to quit the team] ▪ the height of arrogance/folly/hypocrisy ▪ Long skirts are now the height of fashion. [=are now extremely fashionable] ▪ the height of style/luxury