Decibel Definition, Usage & Examples Explained

Meaning 1：sound measurement unit (decibel)

decibel 🔊

/ˈdesɪbel/

A unit used to measure how loud a sound is. A higher number means a louder sound.

Decibel meter showing 85 dB, measuring sound level in a quiet room

sound measurement unit 🔊

➕

/saʊnd ˈmeʒərmənt ˈjuːnɪt/

A standard scientific unit for quantifying the intensity or loudness of sound waves.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'deci-' (Latin for 'one-tenth') and 'bel' (from Alexander Graham Bell).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of DECIbel as a DECImal of a Bell, the unit named for the sound pioneer.

📖 Example

To protect your hearing, it's recommended to keep your headphone volume below 85 decibels. 🔊 For the safety of your ears, experts advise setting your headphone volume lower than 85 decibels.

🔗 Collocations

decibel level – the specific intensity of sound measured in decibels

measured in decibels – quantified using the decibel unit

decibel meter – a device used to measure sound intensity

🔄 Synonyms

dB (n.) – The standard abbreviation for decibel.

sound level (n.) – A general term for the intensity of sound, often measured in decibels.

loudness unit (n.) – A descriptive term for a unit measuring auditory intensity.

📖 Cultural Story

The decibel, named for telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell, was established to measure sound and signal power ratios. It is foundational in acoustics, telecommunications, and audio engineering standards worldwide.