height

Universal Words noun measurement 1 [U,C] the measurement of how tall a person or thing is: Height: 210 mm. Width: 57 mm. Length: 170 mm. * Please state your height and weight. * It is almost 2 metres in height. * She is the same height as her sister. * to be of medium / average height * You can adjust the height of the chair. * The table is available in several different heights. being tall 2 [U] the quality of being tall or high: She worries about her height (= that she is too tall). * The height of the mountain did not discourage them. distance above ground 3 [C,U] a particular distance above the ground: The plane flew at a height of 3000 metres. * The aircraft was gaining height. * to be at shoulder / chest / waist height * The stone was dropped from a great height. high place 4 [C,usually pl.] (often used in names) a high place or position: Brooklyn Heights * He doesn't have a head for heights (= is afraid of high places). * a fear of heights * We looked out over the city from the heights of Edinburgh Castle. * The pattern of the ancient fields is clearly visible from a height. strongest point / level 5 [sing.] the point when sth is at its best or strongest: He is at the height of his career. * She is still at the height of her powers. * I wouldn't go there in the height of summer. * The fire reached its height around 2 a.m. * The housing market was at its height in the eighties. 6 (heights) [pl.] a better or greater level of sth; a situation where sth is very good: Their success had reached new heights. * She dreamed of reaching the dizzy heights of stardom. * He didn't know it was possible to reach such heights of happiness. extreme example 7 [sing.] ~ of sth an extreme example of a particular quality: It would be the height of folly (= very stupid) to change course now. * She was dressed in the height of fashion. IDIOMS draw yourself up / rise to your full height to stand straight and tall in order to show your determination or high status moreatDIZZY