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height

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noun British English pronunciation: height /haɪt/ 
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singularheight
pluralheights
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the degree to which something is high or someone is tall

    He was about the same height as his wife.

    in height:

    a graceful tower, rising to 400 feet in height

    someone’s full height (=their height when they stand up straight):

    He rose to his full height and surveyed the scene.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height
    1. a.
      the distance that something is from the ground or from the floor, or from a fixed level such as the sea

      What height do you want the picture at?

      She could remember being carried at shoulder height, giggling and swaying.

      at a height of:

      Lescun is three miles from the main road at a height of 3,000 feet.

      a great height:

      Her injuries are consistent with a fall from a great height.

      gain/lose height:

      The aircraft began to lose height.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height
    2. b.
      the state of being too high or tall, or not high or tall enough

      She couldn’t see the road because of the height of the wall (=because it was too high).

      Steve could not become a pilot because of his height (=because he was not tall enough).

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height
  2. 2
    [singular] the time or level of greatest activity
    height of:

    At the height of the violence, neighbour was killing neighbour.

    It is the height of irresponsibility to make such comments.

    Jeans were once again the height of fashion.

    at its height:

    The excitement was at its height.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height
  3. 3
    [countable] [usually plural] a high place or position

    A battalion had captured the heights above the beach.

    Dave was trying to overcome his fear of heights.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height
    1. a.
      a high level of activity or success

      His handling of the crisis carried his popularity to new heights.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  heightThesaurus entry for this meaning of height

phrases

This is the British English definition of height. View American English definition of height.

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