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

Upon reaching a specific pressure threshold, which can be adjusted based on the thickness and composition of the membrane, the membrane opens, enabling the regulated release of excess air.

From Science Daily

When he crossed that threshold last week against Nebraska, Marks was feeling about as bad as he had all season.

From Los Angeles Times

In response, President Vladimir V. Putin lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.

From New York Times

Criteria for this threshold are yet to be set.

From BBC

Anastasia Sergeyevna Bizyaeva, an engineer at Cornell University, says the trend reminded her of the dynamics she studies, called behavioral cascades, where a system that has reached a certain threshold can suddenly shift.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

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