Elevation
/ˌɛləˈveɪʃən/
nounB2
Definition
Elevation refers to how high a place or object is compared to the ground or sea level. It can also mean the process of lifting or moving something to a higher place or position. People use this word when talking about mountains, buildings, or even someone's social or job status going up.
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⚡ See It in Action
The height of a place or object above sea level or ground
- •The elevation of the city is 500 meters above sea level.
- •Pilots check the elevation of mountains to avoid flying too low.
- •The house has a beautiful view because of its elevation on the hill.
The act or process of raising something to a higher position
- •The elevation of the flag on the pole was done at sunrise.
- •The elevation of the statue made it visible from far away.
- •His elevation to manager was celebrated by the whole team.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "elevation" like "height" (A1 word), but it focuses on how high something is above a certain base point, like sea level or ground.
- ✓Picture standing on a tall hill looking down at lower land around you.
- ✓It's the feeling of climbing stairs or a mountain and reaching a higher place.
- ✓Sounds like "EL-uh-VAY-shun" → imagine a lift (elevator) going up to a high floor.
- ✓Think of famous mountains, like the elevation of Mount Everest being very high.
- ✓NOT like "height" alone (which can mean any vertical size), elevation is always about height compared to a base level like sea or ground.
- ✓NOT like "rise" (which can be an action or result), elevation is often a noun describing the position or level.
- ✓NOT like "promotion" (used for job or social status), but elevation can sometimes mean promotion in a formal or old-fashioned way.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Altitude: height above sea level (Use for airplanes, mountains, or places high in the sky)
- •Rise: the action of going up (Use when focusing on the process of moving higher, not the fixed height)
- •Promotion: increase in job or social rank (Use when talking about someone's status going higher)
- •Level: a position or height (Use when referring to flat surfaces or stages)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "elev-" (from Latin "elevare" meaning to lift up) + "-ation" (a suffix that turns verbs into nouns meaning the action or result)
- •Etymology: From Latin "elevatio," meaning "a lifting up" or "height"
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century in English, originally meaning the action of raising or lifting
- •Modern usage: Used in geography for height above sea level, in construction for building parts, and in social contexts for promotion or raising status
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does knowing the elevation of a place help people in everyday life or work?
•Can elevation be important in ways besides physical height, like in feelings or social situations?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The mountain’s elevation is measured ___ sea level to help climbers prepare.
2.When the workers performed the elevation of the statue, they used a ___ to lift it.
3.The city’s elevation affects its weather because higher places are usually ___ than lower ones.
4.His elevation to team leader brought new ___ and responsibilities.
5.Unlike simple height, elevation always compares to a ___ level like ground or sea.
6.Pilots must know the elevation of terrain to avoid flying too ___.
7.The building’s elevation on the hill gave it a ___ view of the valley below.