stature

Stature is the vertical dimension of an individual or object, most commonly used to refer to human height. In humans, standing height is the distance from the floor to the top of the head when a person is upright. Stature is typically measured with the person barefoot, standing straight, using a stadiometer or a similar device. The term is often used interchangeably with height, though it can also describe the overall size or prominence of an entity.

In humans, stature develops during childhood and adolescence under genetic and environmental influences. Growth proceeds in stages and generally ends when the growth plates fuse in late adolescence. Adult stature remains relatively stable for most of adulthood but can decline with aging due to factors such as spinal compression, osteoporosis, and posture changes. Short or tall stature can be associated with medical conditions, nutritional history, and socioeconomic factors.

Stature is a central variable in anthropometry and population health. Average stature varies across populations and has changed over time in response to nutrition, health care, disease burden, and living conditions; secular trends often show gradual increases in average height in many regions. Data on stature are used in growth charts, clinical assessment, and epidemiological research.

Stature can also denote a person’s social standing or reputation. In this figurative sense, phrases like “a figure of stature” convey prominence or importance within a field or community.

See also: height, anthropometry, growth chart, human growth, body size.