dB
|d-B|
/diːˈbiː/
measurement unit
Etymology
'dB' originates from 'decibel', a term derived from 'deci-' meaning 'ten' and 'bel', named after Alexander Graham Bell.
'decibel' was shortened to 'dB' for convenience in scientific and technical contexts.
Initially, it was used to measure sound intensity, but now it is widely used in various fields to express ratios.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal by comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic scale.
The noise level in the room was measured at 85 dB.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a unit used to express the ratio of one value of a physical property to another, on a logarithmic scale.
The amplifier increased the signal by 10 dB.
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45