amplitude
noun
am·pli·tude
ˈam-plə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: such as
a
: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme
b
: the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value
2
: extent of dignity, excellence, or splendor
3
4
mathematics
: the angle assigned to a complex number when it is plotted in a complex plane using polar coordinates
called also argument
compare absolute value sense 25
: the height achieved on a jump by a snowboarder, skateboarder, skier, etc.
" … a lot of my strength in snowboarding is my amplitude … "—
Shaun White
Shaun WhiteSynonyms
Examples of amplitude in a Sentence
the amplitude of Thomas Jefferson's interests—government, architecture, agriculture, science, philosophy—is truly awesome
Recent Examples on the Web
Based on the maximum amplitude of motion (the distance the ground moves), the Friday night event was the most energetic by a small margin, recording 23.4 nanometres (nm) of movement, versus 22.8 nm and 23.3 nm on the Saturday and Sunday respectively.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 June 2024
Based on the maximum amplitude of motion (the distance the ground moves), the Friday night event was the most energetic by a small margin, recording 23.4 nanometers of movement.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 June 2024
Based on the maximum amplitude of motion (the distance the ground moves), BGS says that the Friday night event was the most energetic by a small margin, recording 23.4 nanometres (nm) of movement.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 June 2024
And even more familiar is the idea that the volume or amplitude of sound can damage our hearing by injuring the cells and membranes of the cochlea in the ear.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for amplitude 
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 June 2024
Based on the maximum amplitude of motion (the distance the ground moves), the Friday night event was the most energetic by a small margin, recording 23.4 nanometers of movement.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 June 2024
Based on the maximum amplitude of motion (the distance the ground moves), BGS says that the Friday night event was the most energetic by a small margin, recording 23.4 nanometres (nm) of movement.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 June 2024
And even more familiar is the idea that the volume or amplitude of sound can damage our hearing by injuring the cells and membranes of the cochlea in the ear.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for amplitude
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amplitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near amplitude
Cite this Entry
“Amplitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amplitude. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
amplitude
noun
am·pli·tude
ˈam-plə-ˌt(y)üd
2
3
a
: the extent of a back-and-forth movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the midpoint to an extreme
b
: one half of the up-and-down extent of the vibration of a wave (as of alternating current)
Medical Definition
amplitude
noun
am·pli·tude
ˈam-plə-ˌt(y)üd
: the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: as
a
: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme
b
: the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value
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