decibel

noun

deci·​bel ˈde-sə-ˌbel How to pronounce decibel (audio) -bəl How to pronounce decibel (audio)
1
a
: a unit for expressing the ratio of two amounts of electric or acoustic signal power equal to 10 times the common logarithm of this ratio
b
: a unit for expressing the ratio of the magnitudes of two electric voltages or currents or analogous acoustic quantities equal to 20 times the common logarithm of the voltage or current ratio
2
: a unit for expressing the relative intensity of sounds on a scale from zero for the average least perceptible sound to about 130 for the average pain level
3
: degree of loudness
also : extremely loud sound
usually used in plural

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The unit for measuring the relative intensities of sound is called a decibel. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a sound with an intensity that is twice that of a reference sound corresponds to an increase of little more than 3 decibels. In common practice, the reference point of 0 decibel is set at the intensity of the least perceptible sound, the threshold of hearing. On such a scale a 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound; a 20-decibel sound is 100 times the reference intensity, and so on. Normal conversation is usually around 60 decibels, an electric saw around 100 decibels, and amplified rock music around 120 decibels.

Examples of decibel in a Sentence

a rock concert blasting music at 110 decibels the crowd decibels increased dramatically as the horses neared the finish line
Recent Examples on the Web The whisper-quiet humidifier has a noise level of 28 decibels and a maximum run time of 60 hours. Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2024 Typically, sounds at or below 70 decibels are safe for listening. Jillian Hubertz, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2024 Examples of 85 decibel sounds include lawnmower engines, vacuums and power tools. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2024 Thirty cities, including five in the United States, were analyzed in the study and were ranked based on average noise levels in decibels, negative reviews about sleep quality in four-star hotels, air quality data, tourist numbers and nightclub operating hours. Gary Stoller, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decibel 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decibel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary deci- + bel

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of decibel was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near decibel

Cite this Entry

“Decibel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decibel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

decibel

noun
deci·​bel ˈdes-ə-ˌbel How to pronounce decibel (audio)
-bəl
: a unit for measuring the relative loudness of sounds
abbreviation dB

Medical Definition

decibel

noun
deci·​bel ˈdes-ə-bəl How to pronounce decibel (audio) -ˌbel How to pronounce decibel (audio)
1
a
: a unit for expressing the ratio of two amounts of electric or acoustic signal power equal to 10 times the common logarithm of this ratio
b
: a unit for expressing the ratio of the magnitudes of two electric voltages or currents or analogous acoustic quantities equal to 20 times the common logarithm of the voltage or current ratio
2
: a unit for expressing the relative intensity of sounds on a scale from zero for the average least perceptible sound to about 130 for the average pain level

More from Merriam-Webster on decibel

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