decibel
1 synonym for decibel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A unit for measuring sound or signal intensity, representing a tenth part of the larger bel unit, calculated on a logarithmic scale.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dB
How to use decibel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
measured in decibels
decibel level
decibel scale
noise in decibels
Decibel is a standard technical and everyday term for sound measurement.
Etymology
The word joins the prefix deci-, meaning one tenth, to bel, the larger unit that the decibel divides.
Full origin of decibel →Frequently asked questions
What is a decibel?
It is a unit for measuring how intense a sound or signal is, worked out on a logarithmic scale.
What does dB stand for?
dB is simply the symbol used to write decibel.
How many decibels make a bel?
Ten decibels make one bel, since deci- means one tenth.
