hertz

noun

ˈhərts  ˈherts 

plural hertz

: a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second

—abbreviation Hz

Examples of hertz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And Touch-Response Rate? To confuse you more, manufacturers sometimes list the touch-response rate (or touch sample rate) for touchscreen displays, which is also measured in hertz. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 19 Sep. 2025

Recent experiments have already narrowed that to 300 kilohertz, and upcoming work could shrink it further to hundreds of hertz. —New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025

The average cargo ship produces a steady rumble between about 20 and 200 hertz, roughly the same low-frequency band as a bass speaker, at a volume that’s on par with a chainsaw at close range. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025

The monitor has a refresh rate of 100 hertz and is compatible with AMD’s FreeSync technology. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Heinrich R. Hertz

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hertz

• kilohertz

Kids Definition

hertz

noun

ˈhe(ə)rts  ˈhərts 

: a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second

—abbreviation Hz

Medical Definition

hertz

noun

ˈhərts  ˈherts 

: a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second

—abbreviation Hz

Biographical Definition

Hertz 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈherts 

ˈhərts

Gustav Ludwig 1887–1975 German physicist

Hertz

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Heinrich Rudolf 1857–1894 German physicist