treble

1 of 3

noun

tre·​ble ˈtre-bəl 

1

a

: the highest voice part in harmonic music : soprano

b

: one that performs a treble part

also : a member of a family of instruments having the highest range

c

: a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound

d

: the upper half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range compare bass

e

: the higher portion of the audio frequency range in sound recording and broadcasting

2

: something treble in construction, uses, amount, number, or value

treble

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: relating to or having the range or part of a treble

b

: high-pitched, shrill

c

: of, relating to, or having the range of treble in sound recording and broadcasting

treble frequencies

2

a

: having three parts or uses : threefold

b

: triple in number or amount

trebly

ˈtre-b(ə-)lē 

adverb

treble

3 of 3

verb

trebled; trebling ˈtre-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to increase threefold

intransitive verb

1

: to sing treble

2

: to grow to three times the size, amount, or number

Synonyms

Adjective

• high-pitched
• piping
• screeching
• shrieking
• shrill
• squeaking
• squeaky
• whistling

Examples of treble in a Sentence

Noun

Turn down the treble on the radio and turn up the bass.

The part is sung by a boy treble.

Adjective

the treble shrieks of children at play

a treble painting, with each panel telling a different part of the Nativity story

Verb

She trebled her earnings in only two years.

Prices have trebled in only two years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each earpiece of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has dual drivers for bass and treble, which results in fantastic audio performance. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 20 June 2024

Could Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, have steered his team to an unbeaten treble? —Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 May 2024

Adjective

Callahan’s baritone vocals receive just enough high-mid presence to retain some treble edge, while the acoustic strums sound vibrant. —PCMAG, 20 July 2024

Antitrust law calls for private plaintiffs who successfully bring antitrust cases to recover treble damages. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 July 2024

Verb

The league worries that Gutierrez will treble the damages to $14.1 billion, require the NFL to post a bond equal to the damages award to pursue an appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and compel the league to change broadcasting agreements with partner networks. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024

Potential damages could top $20 billion as antitrust damages are usually trebled. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, the highest part in a three-part composition, from treble, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin triplus — more at triple

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing treble

• treble clef
• treble staff

Kids Definition

treble

1 of 3 noun

tre·​ble ˈtreb-əl 

1

a

: the highest of the four voice parts in vocal music : soprano

b

: a singer or instrument having the highest range

2

: a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound

3

: the upper half of the musical pitch range compare bass entry 2

treble

2 of 3 adjective

1

a

: having three parts

b

: triple in number or amount

2

a

: relating to or having the range of a musical treble

treble voice

b

: high-pitched, shrill

trebly

ˈtreb-(ə-)lē 

adverb

treble

3 of 3 verb

trebled; trebling ˈtreb-(ə-)liŋ 

: to make or become three times the size, amount, or number