Tallest – Definition With Examples

An object or person is said to be the tallest if the height of the object/person is greatest among all the objects/people placed. Height is often used to tell how tall someone or something is. It is the vertical distance from top to bottom of an object or a person. 

Let’s find out how tall objects are measured.

How to Measure Height?

We can measure the height of an object or person by using various measuring tools. Some tools to measure height are: 

1. Rulers

Rulers have straight edges and are stiff. One side of the ruler has markings in inches and the other side has markings in centimeters. Rulers are good to use for shorter lengths like the length of a pencil or notebook. 

2. Tape Measures

Tape measures are flexible straight edges with graduated markings. Since most tape measures only measure one unit system (U.S. customary or metric), you’ll need to find one that uses the unit system you need. Since these tools can bend, they’re good to use when measuring the total length of an object that exists in more than one dimension (e.g., waist measurements, the circumference of a wooden block, etc.).

3. Meter Sticks

Meter sticks and yardsticks are the same in construction and length. Both have straight edges and are stiff. Meter sticks measure all lengths up to 1 meter, and yardsticks measure all lengths up to 3 feet.

What does Tall mean in Math?

Let us look at the two figures.

Are they the same height?

No. They have different heights. But how do we know that? 

If we look closely, Pillar II is taller as it has one block more than Pillar I. 

We can compare the height of two or more objects by measuring the height of each object or person in consideration. 

When we compare two or more objects on the basis of their heights, we get tall and short. Taller means that something has greater height than the other. 

Look at the Oolzoo, Chi and Hoppy, standing next to each other. 

Since Hoppy’s height is the greatest of all, we can say that Hoppy is the tallest. 

In the above room, we can see that the height of the bookcase is the greatest of all the objects kept in the room. So, we can say that the bookcase is the tallest. 

Difference between Taller and Tallest

A person or an object is said to be taller if the height of the object/person is greater than the other object/person. It can be only used for two objects or people. Taller is comparative.

For example: Hoppy is 7 feet tall. Eddie is 6 feet tall and Oolzoo is 5 feet tall.

We can say that Hoppy is taller than Eddie and Eddie is taller than Oolzoo.

A person or an object is said to be the tallest if the height of the object/person is greater than all the other people or objects. There can be only one thing/person who is the tallest. 

For example: Hoppy is taller than Eddie and Eddie is taller than Oolzoo, so we can say that Hoppy is the tallest of all. 

Solved Examples

Example 1: What is the difference between tallest and highest?

Solution: “Tallest” is a superlative word used to describe the physical height of a person or an object. Whereas, “highest” is a superlative word used to describe physical position, or physical level, performance, or achievement.

Example 2: How is “tallest” different from “largest”?

Solution: “Largest” is a superlative word used to describe the length or breadth of a particular object. Whereas, “tallest” is a superlative word used to describe the physical height of a person or an object. 

3. Kim is taller than Sam but shorter than Paul. John is taller than Jane. Sam is taller than John. Who is the tallest in the group?

Answer: The first statement says Sam $\lt$ Kim $\lt$ Paul.

The second statement says Jane $\lt$ John. The third statement says John $\lt$ Sam

According to all the statements, we get Jane $\lt$ John $\lt$ Sam $\lt$ Kim $\lt$ Paul

Paul is the tallest of all.

Practice Problems

Frequently Asked Questions