threshold

[ thresh-ohld, thresh-hohld ]

noun

1. the sill of a doorway.
2. the entrance to a house or building.
3. any place or point of entering or beginning:

   the threshold of a new career.

4. 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

1. Also calleddoorsill a sill, esp one made of stone or hardwood, placed at a doorway
2. any doorway or entrance
3. the starting point of an experience, event, or venture

   on the threshold of manhood

4. psychol the strength at which a stimulus is just perceived Compare absolute threshold difference threshold

   the threshold of consciousness

5. 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

6. 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

7. modifier designating or relating to a pay agreement, clause, etc, that raises wages to compensate for increases in the cost of living

Word History and Origins

Origin of threshold¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of threshold¹

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

Example Sentences

Future studies will aim to explore these mechanisms further and establish safe exposure thresholds.

From Science Daily

Additionally, the team aims to test emerging models to see if cognitive thresholds shift as technology advances, working toward a reliable framework for health care AI integration.

From Science Daily

The low pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast driving this storm will begin rapidly intensifying Tuesday — reaching the threshold of a bomb cyclone — which will drastically increase its moisture and strength.

From Los Angeles Times

The judge said the custodial threshold had been passed but he was able to impose an alternative to custody.

From BBC

According to the Makin review, the safeguarding adviser was told officers could do nothing: Smyth’s actions were "an abuse of trust" but they would be "unlikely to reach the threshold for a criminal investigation".

From BBC

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