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

Did you know?

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 sound will increase as the accelerator pedal is pressed down harder reaching decibel levels produced by the high-output V8 muscle cars the new Charger will replace. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Elephants can produce noise of up to 125 decibels with their trunks, but the snapping shrimp uses its claws to generate a popping sound of up to 250 decibels, according to the researchers. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Small snapping shrimp can produce popping sounds of up to 250 decibels, while large elephants use their trunks to make noises up to 125 decibels. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024 The legislation limits decibel levels to 65 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and to 55 the other half of the day. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 The decibel level reduced between four and six percent. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 The insects are known to emit a high-pitched buzz, or mating song, that can reach up to 100 decibels — roughly equivalent to a motorcycle or jackhammer. Denise Chow, NBC News, 20 Jan. 2024 Dessner's introduction for the first surprise song prompted some of the loudest cheers of the night, measuring 120 decibels on my smartwatch. David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 Feb. 2024 Buildings near those areas can’t make noise any louder than 68 decibels when sound is measured from 100 feet away, which is roughly as loud as a normal conversation. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024

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 18 Mar. 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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