sound pressure level
- noun
- /saʊnd ˈprɛʃər ˈlɛvəl/
- Specialized
:
nivel de presión sonora
- The vertical axis shows the sound pressure level (SPL) in decibels, and the horizontal axis shows the Fo, measured in semitones.
- dB sound pressure level
- increase in sound pressure level
- threshold sound pressure levels
Examples
-
Exposure to a sound pressure level of 85 dB for prolonged periods can lead to hearing loss.
-
OSHA regulations limit permissible noise exposure in the work environment to 0.5 hours per day when exposed to a sound pressure level of 110 dBA.
Academic text (2008) -
Thus, at low and moderate sound pressure levels, the traveling wave is no longer actively amplified.
Academic text (1998) -
The syllables were played at a 75 dB peak equivalency sound pressure level.
Academic text (1993) -
The threshold of the compression/limiter was set at 85 dB sound pressure level (SPL).
Academic text (1993) -
The transducer is a small but powerful design capable of producing sound pressure level equivalents greater than 115 dB when attached to the incus of a fresh temporal bone.
Academic text (1998) -
At the concert, the sound pressure level reached an alarming 120 dB, causing many attendees to cover their ears.
-
The technician measured the sound pressure level in the studio, noting it was ideal at 75 dB for recording vocals.
Synonyms
5
3.1
How loud unwanted background sound is
1
5.6
The measured strength of sound, light, or other waves shown in decibels
A measure of how loud a sound is in decibels
Antonyms
How Loud
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is transparently compositional: it denotes the 'level' (amount or measurement) of 'pressure' caused by 'sound', so a learner who knows the component words can infer it refers to how strong/loud a sound is. While the precise technical detail (measurement in decibels relative to a reference) is specialized, the basic meaning is directly derivable from the constituents and mirrors common cross-linguistic compound patterns.
Etymology
Sound pressure level uses a simple image: sound are waves that push and pull on the air, pressure is the size of those tiny pushes, and level is the measured amount. So it tells us 'how strong a sound is' and helps people check loudness and safety.