noun
amplitude
AM-pli-tood/ˈæmplɪtuːd/
The extent of something's reach or displacement.
The arrow marks the vibrating string's amplitude from rest to its uppermost position.
Etymology
The pieces describe the quality of being large or spacious, and the Latin noun meant “wide extent.” In the wave sense, this general idea of extent becomes the size of a vibration or variation.
In context
the amplitude of a wave with symbol a is how high it moves up and down compared to a flat calm surface
More examples
- A larger amplitude means a greater displacement from the resting position.
- The essay explores the amplitude of her creative vision.
- Two waves have the same frequency but different amplitudes.
Forms
amplitude · amplitudes
Similar words
- magnitude
- The broader term for size or numerical strength.
- range
- Measures a span between limits rather than maximum displacement from center.