What is the term for the height of an object above sea level?

The term that refers specifically to the height of an object above sea level is elevation. This measurement indicates how high a location or object is with respect to the average sea level, which serves as a universal reference point for geographic and topographic data.

While altitude also refers to height, it is often used in different contexts, particularly in aviation to describe how high an aircraft is above the earth's surface, rather than specifically in relation to sea level. Therefore, elevation is the more accurate term when discussing the height of an object above sea level.

Height, in general, is a broader term that can refer to any vertical measurement and does not specify a relation to sea level. Ascent refers to the act of rising or climbing and does not provide a measure of height. Thus, elevation is recognized in geography and related fields as the correct term for this specific measurement.