decibel
A logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal.
Abbreviated as 'dB', the decibel is not an absolute unit of measurement like an inch or a pound; instead, it measures a ratio of sound pressure or signal level relative to a reference point.
Word relationships
- dB: The standard scientific and industry abbreviation.
Commonly confused with
- frequency: Decibels measure the amplitude or volume of a sound, while frequency (measured in Hertz) measures the pitch of a sound.
Collocations
- decibel scale
- decibel level
- peak decibels
- decibels of gain
Example sentences
- "Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, such as heavy city traffic or loud lawnmowers, can cause permanent hearing loss." A health warning about hearing damage.
- "The engineer pulled the vocal track down by three decibels to make room for the snare drum's transient peak." A technical mixing manual.
Memory hook
Think of 'deci-' (like decimal or decade, meaning ten) and 'Bell' (like a ringing bell)—ten steps of sound on a bell. Decibel is one-tenth of a Bell, measuring sound volume.
When not to use
Avoid using decibels as a linear scale; because it is logarithmic, an increase of 10 dB represents a sound that is physically ten times more powerful, and subjectively twice as loud.
Fun facts
- A whisper is about 30 decibels, normal conversation is 60 decibels, a rock concert is 120 decibels, and a jet engine up close is a painful 140 decibels.
Also appears in
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