Decibel: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
decibel
[ หdษs.ษช.bษl ]
sound measurement
A decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of sound. It quantifies sound levels relative to a reference level, typically the threshold of hearing for the average human ear. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that an increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in intensity. This makes decibels useful for expressing a wide range of sound levels, from the faintest whispers to the loudest sounds in nature. The unit is also used in various fields including electronics, acoustics, and telecommunications to assess signal levels.
Synonyms
acoustic intensity, dB, sound level
Examples of usage
- The sound of a whisper is approximately 30 decibels.
- A normal conversation typically measures around 60 decibels.
- Heavy traffic can reach sound levels of 85 decibels.
- Rock concerts can exceed 100 decibels, which can damage hearing.
- The decibel level of a jet engine can be as high as 130 decibels.
Translations
Translations of the word "decibel" in other languages:
๐ต๐น decibel
๐ฎ๐ณ เคกเฅเคธเฅเคฌเฅเคฒ
๐ฉ๐ช Dezibel
๐ฎ๐ฉ desibel
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะตัะธะฑะตะป
๐ต๐ฑ decibel
๐ฏ๐ต ใใทใใซ
๐ซ๐ท dรฉcibel
๐ช๐ธ decibel
๐น๐ท desibel
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ์๋ฒจ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฏูุณูุจู
๐จ๐ฟ decibel
๐ธ๐ฐ decibel
๐จ๐ณ ๅ่ด
๐ธ๐ฎ decibel
๐ฎ๐ธ desรญbel
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะดะตัะธะฑะตะป
๐ฌ๐ช แแแชแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ decibel
๐ฒ๐ฝ decibel
Etymology
The term 'decibel' is derived from the name of the American inventor Alexander Graham Bell, who made significant contributions to the field of telecommunications. The prefix 'deci-' means one-tenth, indicating that a decibel is one-tenth of a bel, a unit named after Bell. The bel was introduced in the early 20th century to quantify sound intensity levels in a way that reflected human hearing perception. The decibel scale was later adopted widely across different disciplines, including audio engineering and environmental science, making it a standard unit for measuring sound pressure levels. Over the decades, the concept of decibels has evolved to encompass various applications, including telecommunications, where it measures signal strength and loss. The integration of the decibel system has facilitated advancements in audio technology, public health regulations regarding noise pollution, and the overall understanding of sound's impact on the human experience.
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #28,451, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
- ...
- 28448 seismograph
- 28449 slitting
- 28450 somnolence
- 28451 decibel
- 28452 rudest
- 28453 relishing
- 28454 abattoir
- ...