threshold

/ˈθrɛʃhoʊld/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
The point at which a condition or effect begins.

Examples

  • Researchers measured the threshold for taste to determine the smallest amount of sugar detectable.
  • He placed a welcome mat right at the threshold of his front door.
  • Kids often trip over the low threshold of the school hallway.
  • Investors watch the threshold that signals a market downturn.
  • The faint sound was right at the threshold of what the ear can hear.

Similar words

sill
starting point
door sill
entry step
perceptual threshold
cutoff
trigger point
just noticeable difference
sensitivity level
limit

Meanings

Floor of a doorway

noun
architecture
neutral
The strip of material at the bottom of a doorway that you step over when entering a room.

Examples

  • She paused before the threshold and took a deep breath.
  • The cold air slipped in as soon as he crossed the threshold.
  • Kids often trip over the low threshold of the school hallway.
  • The ancient stone threshold was worn smooth by centuries of footsteps.
  • He placed a welcome mat right at the threshold of his front door.

Similar words

Point at which something begins

noun
abstract
neutral
A level or value where a change or effect starts to happen.

Examples

  • The temperature reached the threshold where the ice began to melt.
  • Investors watch the threshold that signals a market downturn.
  • Her patience hit a threshold after the long delay.
  • The doctor set a threshold for blood pressure that patients should not exceed.
  • Crossing the threshold of 10,000 steps, the fitness app awarded a badge.

Similar words

Minimum detectable stimulus

noun
psychology
neutral
The smallest amount of a stimulus that a person can notice.

Examples

  • The faint sound was right at the threshold of what the ear can hear.
  • In the experiment, the light intensity was set to the threshold for visual detection.
  • She could feel the threshold of pressure on her fingertip.
  • Researchers measured the threshold for taste to determine the smallest amount of sugar detectable.
  • The device alerts when a chemical concentration reaches the threshold of human perception.

Similar words

Etymology

FAQ

What does threshold mean?

A threshold is the point at which a condition or effect begins.

What is the threshold of a doorway?

In architecture a threshold is the strip of material at the bottom of a doorway that you step over when entering a room.

How is threshold used to describe a starting point in abstract contexts?

In abstract use a threshold is a level or value where a change or effect starts to happen.

What does threshold refer to in psychology?

In psychology a threshold is the smallest amount of a stimulus that a person can notice.

What are common synonyms for the doorway threshold?

Synonyms for the doorway threshold include doorstep, sill, door sill, door lip, door base, entry step, doorway floor.

What are synonyms for threshold meaning a starting point?

Synonyms for a threshold meaning a starting point include starting point, breakpoint, cutoff, limit, trigger point, critical point, tipping point.

What are synonyms for the sensory threshold?

Synonyms for the sensory threshold include just noticeable difference, detection limit, sensitivity level, perceptual threshold, minimum detectable, lowest detectable, just noticeable.

How is threshold different from a limit?

A threshold marks where something begins, while a limit marks the maximum allowed.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...