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Definition of decibel

decibel

/ˈdɛsɪbɛl/
dec · i · bel
Plural:decibels
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decibel Lexical Profile

decibel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power level of an electrical signal by comparing it with a given reference level on a logarithmic scale (abbreviated dB).

Example

"Prolonged exposure to industrial machinery operating above eighty-five decibels can cause permanent hearing damage."

• Nearby Words

deceptiveness
decertification
decertify
decibel
decide
decided
decidedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1920s at Bell Telephone Laboratories by combining the metric prefix 'deci-' (from Latin 'decimus', meaning tenth) with 'bel', a unit of measurement named in honor of Scottish-born inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Decibel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/decibel
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