noun

elevation

el-uh-VAY-shun/ˌelɪˈveɪʃn/

Height or a rise above a reference level.

The mountain's elevation places its peak far above the distant sea.

A high mountain peak towers above a distant blue sea, showing height above sea level.

Etymology

eLatinout, up

+levLatinlighten, raise

+ationLatinaction or result

The pieces describe 'a lifting up.' The selected sense concerns the resulting height rather than the movement: how high something stands above a reference level, especially sea level.

In context

Sören Nichols84:28

with an average elevation of 10,000 feet this is why it's the highest continent on Earth without its ice Antarctica would average only 1500 feet above sea level

Arctic Expedition Documentary Great Scientific Adventures of all time english subtitles

More examples

Snow lingers at higher elevations well into June.
The test reveals a slight elevation in blood sugar.
Her elevation to team captain surprises no one.

Forms

elevation · elevations

elevate verb — To raise something in height or status.

Similar words

height: Can measure something from bottom to top, unlike elevation.
altitude: Usually describes vertical distance above sea level, especially in flight.
rise: Emphasizes an upward change rather than a measured position.