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

Like Meissner and Krause corpuscles, these sensors are tuned to vibration, but at much higher frequencies — as high as 1,000 hertz. —Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025

After a bit of trial and error, the team induced the cicadas to produce specific musical notes over more than three octaves, ranging from 27.5 hertz to 261.6 hertz. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025

The alternating current going through power lines in the US cycles at a frequency of 60 hertz. —Umair Irfan, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025

The display is also limited to FHD+ resolution at 120 hertz, but realistically there’s no need to support more than that since most streaming services cap out at 1080P anyway. —Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 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