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. See difference threshold, absolute threshold
   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

Interpreted more broadly, the phrase loses meaning: what constitutes the necessary threshold of realism?

From The Daily Beast

There is one final lesson to learn before he crosses the threshold from darkness to glory.

From The Daily Beast

She took her temperature on Monday and noted it was slightly elevated to 99.5, just under the threshold for worry.

From The Daily Beast

That year was really the first year that I stepped over the threshold and became more of a collaborator.

From The Daily Beast

Once a threshold osmolality is reached in our bodies, it triggers our brains to make us seek water.

From The Daily Beast

At the same moment the door was thrown open, and Mrs. Gordon appeared on the threshold with a gentleman behind her.

From Project Gutenberg

In the midst of these meditations, the dungeon door opened, and Santa Cruz himself appeared on the threshold.

From Project Gutenberg

That last moment, as she stepped lightly over the threshold of the library, was a sort of climax to the intoxication of youth.

From Project Gutenberg

Pausing at the threshold before opening the door, the sonorous mumble sounding through the deal panels misled me.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew he had divined the one thing she had most dreaded in returning,—the crossing again the threshold of her own room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brink
• verge