noun
Common
threshold
THREH-shohld
Threshold (noun) means the strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter. Example: “The old stone threshold in the doorway was worn smooth by many feet.”
noun
1
The strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter.
"The old stone threshold in the doorway was worn smooth by many feet."
"She wiped her boots on the mat before crossing the threshold."
"He carried his bride over the threshold."
2
The point at which something begins, or the level at which an effect kicks in.
"Pain that stays below your threshold is often easy to ignore."
"The company is on the threshold of a major breakthrough."
"Once the noise passes a certain threshold, the alarm triggers automatically."
3
The income level at which you start paying a particular rate of tax.
"Earnings above the threshold are taxed at a higher rate."
"He asked an accountant how far his salary was from the next threshold."
"Her raise pushed her just over the higher tax threshold."
How to use threshold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the literal bottom of a doorway, or, more often now, the point at which something starts or a limit gets triggered.
Common mistake
Many people say "thresh-hold" — this comes from confusion with "hold," but the correct pronunciation and spelling both come from "thresh."
Common pairings
on the threshold of
pain threshold
tax threshold
cross the threshold
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Word forms
- Plural
- thresholds
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The old stone _____ in the doorway was worn smooth by many feet.
Etymology
From Old English þresċold, "doorsill" — related to thresh (to beat grain), since a threshold was once literally the beaten, trodden strip of floor at a doorway.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “threshold” mean?
The word “threshold” means the strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter. In plain terms, either the literal bottom of a doorway, or, more often now, the point at which something starts or a limit gets triggered.
How do you pronounce “threshold”?
“Threshold” is pronounced THREH-shohld (/ˈθɹɛʃ(h)oʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “threshold” in a sentence?
Here is “threshold” used in a sentence: “She wiped her boots on the mat before crossing the threshold.”
What is the opposite of “threshold”?
The opposite of “threshold” — its antonyms — is lintel.
What part of speech is “threshold”?
“Threshold” is a noun.
Where does the word “threshold” come from?
The word “threshold” comes from Old English. From Old English þresċold, "doorsill" — related to thresh (to beat grain), since a threshold was once literally the beaten, trodden strip of floor at a doorway.
Is “threshold” a common word?
“Threshold” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “threshold” have?
“Threshold” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter.
Is it spelled threshold or threshhold?
The correct spelling is threshold, with a single h in the middle. Because the word looks like "thresh" plus "hold," many people mistakenly double the h, but "threshhold" is always an error.
What is a pain threshold?
A pain threshold is the point at which something begins to be felt as pain — the level at which the effect kicks in. Someone with a high pain threshold needs a stronger stimulus before feeling pain, while someone with a low threshold feels pain sooner.
What is a tax threshold?
A tax threshold is the income level at which you start paying a particular rate of tax. Earnings below the threshold are not taxed at that rate; once income crosses it, the rate applies.
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