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noun

hertz

hurts

Hertz (noun) means the standard unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second. Example: “Human hearing typically ranges from about 20 to 20,000 hertz.”

noun
1
The standard unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second.
"Human hearing typically ranges from about 20 to 20,000 hertz."
"The processor runs at a clock speed measured in gigahertz, or billions of hertz."

How to use hertz

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA unit for measuring how many times something repeats per second, especially sound waves or electrical signals.

Common pairings
measured in hertz kilohertz gigahertz

Word forms

hertz plural, hertzes plural

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Human hearing typically ranges from about 20 to 20,000 _____.

Etymology

Named after the German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894), who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves.

Origin: German · First attested 1857

Class of 1857 hertz joined the language around 1857.
See the full Class of 1857 →

Rhymes for hertz

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hertz” mean?

The word “hertz” means the standard unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second. In plain terms, a unit for measuring how many times something repeats per second, especially sound waves or electrical signals.

How do you pronounce “hertz”?

“Hertz” is pronounced hurts (/hɝts/ in IPA).

How do you use “hertz” in a sentence?

Here is “hertz” used in a sentence: “Human hearing typically ranges from about 20 to 20,000 hertz.”

What part of speech is “hertz”?

“Hertz” is a noun.

Where does the word “hertz” come from?

The word “hertz” dates back to around 1857 and comes from German. Named after the German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894), who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves.

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