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

• shrill
• whistling
• shrieking

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

Dembélé had another brilliant season for the French giants, helping lead PSG to trophies galore, including the European treble of the Champions League, Ligue 1 and French Cup titles. —David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

Its portable frame hides big bass, clear mids, and balanced treble that actually carry in open spaces. —PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Barcelona picked up a domestic treble as the side continued its stranglehold on Spanish soccer but the 27-year-old will no doubt be disappointed after losing two major finals against English opposition. —David Close, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

The result is a bass response increase from 4dB to 6dB and treble that’s up to 4dB better. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Verb

In Belgium, teenage and adult baptisms have nearly trebled in 10 years, according to Church data. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025

By subtly adjusting bass and treble through the volume curve, the A100 ensure that every track can sound its best with a full and natural tone, no matter what the listening level. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

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

Rhymes for treble

• jebel
• nebel
• pebble
• rebel
• jezebel

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