amplitude

[ am-pli-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being ample, especially as to breadth or width; largeness; greatness of extent.
2. large or full measure; abundance; copiousness.
3. mental range, scope, or capacity.
4. Physics. the absolute value of the maximum displacement from a zero value during one period of an oscillation.
5. Electricity. the maximum deviation of an alternating current from its average value.
6. Astronomy. the arc of the horizon measured from the east or west point to the point where a vertical circle through a heavenly body would intersect the horizon.
7. Mathematics. argument ( def 8b ).

amplitude

/ ˈæmplɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. greatness of extent; magnitude
2. abundance or copiousness
3. breadth or scope, as of the mind
4. astronomy the angular distance along the horizon measured from true east or west to the point of intersection of the vertical circle passing through a celestial body
5. Also calledargument maths (of a complex number) the angle that the vector representing the complex number makes with the positive real axis. If the point ( x, y ) has polar coordinates ( r, θ ), the amplitude of x + i y is θ , that is, arctan y/x Compare modulus See also Argand diagram
6. physics the maximum variation from the zero or mean value of a periodically varying quantity

amplitude

/ ăm′plĭ-to̅o̅d′ /

1. Physics.
   One half the full extent of a vibration, oscillation, or wave. The amplitude of an ocean wave is the maximum height of the wave crest above the level of calm water, or the maximum depth of the wave trough below the level of calm water. The amplitude of a pendulum swinging through an angle of 90° is 45°.
2. Physics.
   Compare frequency
3. Electronics.
   The amount by which a voltage or current changes from zero or an average value.

amplitude

1. In physics , the height of a crest (or the depth of a trough) of a wave .

Word History and Origins

Origin of amplitude¹

From the Latin word amplitūdō, dating back to 1540–50. See ample, -i-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of amplitude¹

C16: from Latin amplitūdō breadth, from amplus spacious

Example Sentences

Both the frequency and the amplitude of the changes are increasing.

From Salon

The performance loss is partly due to the difficulty of optimizing the shape and amplitude of the applied magnetic perturbations, which in turn stems from the computational intensity of existing physics-based optimization approaches.

From Science Daily

It has been well documented that a song's volume, or loudness, over time -- what's known as "amplitude modulation" -- is relatively steady at 1-2 Hz.

From Science Daily

Contrasting the observed unusual electrical activity, the spontaneous isomerization of G90D rhodopsin demonstrated a high amplitude but low frequency.

From Science Daily

"Depending on our actions, we can reduce the speed of that warming, and we can decrease the overall amplitude of that warming and sea-level rise."

From BBC