Pronunciation: [dˈɛsɪbə͡lz] (IPA) 
Decibels is a commonly misspelled word in English. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈdɛsɪbəlz/. The first syllable "de" is pronounced as /dɛ/, not "deh" or "dee". The second syllable "ci" is pronounced as /sɪ/, not "cee" or "si". It is important to note the silent "b" in the spelling of this word, as some may mistakenly spell it as "decibles". Decibels is a unit of measurement used to express the intensity of sound.
Decibels (dB) are a unit for measuring the intensity or level of sound, or other types of waves, relative to a reference level. It is a logarithmic scale that quantifies the difference in sound pressure between two sounds. Decibels are commonly used to measure the loudness or volume of sounds in various contexts, such as in audio systems, industrial noise, and environmental studies.
The decibel scale is based on logarithmic mathematics, which allows for a convenient representation of the wide range of sound intensities. It compares the power ratio of a given sound to a reference level by taking the logarithm of the ratio and multiplying it by 10. The logarithmic nature of decibels means that each increase of 10 decibels represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity.
Decibels are often used to quantify the sound levels that the human ear can perceive. The average human threshold of hearing is set as 0 decibels, while the threshold of pain is typically around 120 decibels. Decibels can be positive or negative values, where negative values indicate sounds quieter than the reference level.
It is important to note that decibels are a relative measurement and require a reference point for comparison. Common references include the threshold of hearing, the quietest audible sound, or a standardized sound pressure level. Their use allows for standardized and objective measurements of sound intensity, enabling better control and understanding of sound phenomena in various fields of study.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "decibels" is derived from the combination of two words: "deci" and "bel".
- "Deci" is a prefix that means one-tenth (1/10) in the International System of Units (SI). It is derived from the Latin word "decimus", meaning tenth or tithe. The prefix "deci" indicates a division of the base unit by 10.
- "Bel" refers to the unit of measurement named after Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish scientist and inventor of the telephone. The bel measures the logarithmic ratio of two power quantities, such as sound intensity or electrical signals. The term "bel" is a tribute to Bell's work in the field of telecommunications.
To create a more practical and commonly used unit, the decibel (dB) was introduced as one-tenth of a bel.
