bel
word
Definition
A 'bel' is a unit used to measure the intensity or strength of sound. It is not commonly used in daily life, but its subunit 'decibel' (dB) is frequently used.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly found in scientific or technical contexts; 'decibel' (dB) is the practical and widely-used term—1 bel equals 10 decibels. 'Bel' rarely appears outside technical materials.
Spanish: bel (unidad de medida) - decibelio (relacionado)Portuguese (BR): bel (unidade de medida) - decibel (relacionado)Portuguese (PT): bel (unidade de medida) - decibel (relacionado)Chinese (Simplified): 贝尔（声强单位）Chinese (Traditional): 貝爾（聲強單位）Hindi: बेल (माप की इकाई)Arabic: بيل (وحدة قياس)Bengali: বেল (শব্দমাত্রার একক)Russian: бел (единица измерения звука)Japanese: ベル (音の強さの単位)Vietnamese: bel (đơn vị đo cường độ âm thanh)Korean: 벨 (음의 세기 단위)Turkish: bel (ses şiddeti birimi)Urdu: بیل (آواز کی شدت کی اکائی)Indonesian: bel (satuan intensitas suara)
Example Sentences
Engineers rarely use bels in conversation, switching to decibels instead.
natural
The intensity of sound can be measured in bels.
basic
One bel equals ten decibels.
basic
The bel is used in scientific research.
basic
Most people have never heard of a bel, but they know what a decibel is.
natural
The name 'bel' comes from Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.
natural