THRESHOLD Definition & Meaning

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threshold

[ thresh-ohld, thresh-hohld ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the sill of a doorway.
the entrance to a house or building.
any place or point of entering or beginning:
the threshold of a new career.
Also called limen. Psychology, Physiology. the point at which a stimulus is of sufficient intensity to begin to produce an effect:
the threshold of consciousness; a low threshold of pain.

threshold

/ ˈθrɛʃˌhəʊld; ˈθrɛʃəʊld /

noun

Also calleddoorsill a sill, esp one made of stone or hardwood, placed at a doorway
any doorway or entrance
the starting point of an experience, event, or venture
on the threshold of manhood
psychol the strength at which a stimulus is just perceived Compare absolute threshold difference threshold
the threshold of consciousness
1. a level or point at which something would happen, would cease to happen, or would take effect, become true, etc
2. ( as modifier )
  threshold effect
  threshold price
1. the minimum intensity or value of a signal, etc, that will produce a response or specified effect
  a frequency threshold
2. ( as modifier )
  a threshold current
modifier designating or relating to a pay agreement, clause, etc, that raises wages to compensate for increases in the cost of living

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of threshold¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English threschold, Old English threscold, threscwald; cognate with Old Norse �ٳ��ǫ��, dialectal Swedish �ٰ�ä��챹��; akin to thresh in earlier sense “trample, tread”; -old, -wald element of obscure origin

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of threshold¹

Old English therscold; related to Old Norse threskoldr, Old High German driscubli, Old Swedish thriskuldi

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There remain concerns over how some people have been forced to repay the allowance, after going only slightly over the earnings threshold.

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Measure ULA also has steep “cliffs” — thresholds where small price increases trigger massive tax increases.

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"The risk with these additional tariffs is that they could push our wines past a psychological price threshold," warned Laurent Delaunay, president of the Bourgogne Wine Board - meaning above what buyers feel comfortable paying.

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Research published in 2023 showed that emissions measured from dozens of satellites on the Starlink constellation exceeded their intended and allowed thresholds, interfering with the frequencies allocated to radio astronomy.

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Nine Republicans crossed the aisle to help Democrats meet the threshold to force the bill onto the floor.

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