loudness

noun

loud·​ness ˈlau̇d-nəs How to pronounce loudness (audio)
: the attribute of a sound that determines the magnitude of the auditory sensation produced and that primarily depends on the amplitude of the sound wave involved

Examples of loudness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Kim measures loudness via a descriptive scale, shifting the seemingly objective audiogram from an individualizing register into a personal one. Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025 Confining the mice to a small space for thirty minutes a day over the course of a week and then assessing their responses to sound with a behavioral task, the team revealed that the mice’s perception of loudness was reduced, as seen by their tendency to treat some louder sounds as softer sounds. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025 Saying the quiet part out loud has given way to a general loudness. Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025 These early models featured an automatic rake attachment (much like the Pet Zone Smart Scoop box, below) but had problems with reliability and loudness. Molly Higgins, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loudness

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loudness was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Loudness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loudness. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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