bit rate

noun

variants or less commonly bit-rate or bitrate
: a measure of the speed of data processing usually calculated as the number of bits per second
MP3 measures compression settings in terms of a file's bit rate—the average number of bits required for one second of sound.Jim Heid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The apt X Adaptive codec is incredibly versatile and can vary its bit rate on the fly, automatically stepping down for movie and gaming use to provide ultra-low-latency sound. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022 Adaptive codec which can dynamically adjust the bit rate of the digital signal depending on the wireless conditions. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2022 Adaptive codec which can adjust the bit rate of the digital signal depending on the wireless conditions. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 The old WiFi 5 standard supported a much lower bit rate of QAM. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021 Lossless audio means mathematically bit-for-bit exact, with no loss of the audio file and, up to now, the necessary bit rate to deliver this over Bluetooth has not been available. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 There’s no optical output provided but the coaxial output has a higher bit rate than an optical connection. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 June 2021 Tidal goes one step beyond HiFi to its Master tier, which offers a bit rate of 9,216 kbps, a 192,000 Hz sample rate, and a 24-bit depth. Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2021 Netflix will reduce traffic by reducing bit rates in Europe. Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bit rate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bit rate was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near bit rate

Cite this Entry

“Bit rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bit%20rate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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