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• bel
  bel

  noun

  a unit of power ratio, equal to 10 decibels.
• Bel.
  Bel.

  abbreviation

  Belgian.
• Bel
  Bel

  noun

  (in Babylonian and Assyrian mythology) the god of the earth

bel

¹ American  

[bel] / bɛl /

noun

Physics.

1. a unit of power ratio, equal to 10 decibels.

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bel ² American  

[bel] / bɛl /

noun

1. bael.

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Bel. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Belgian.

2. Belgic.

3. Belgium.

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bel ¹ British  

/ bɛl /

noun

1. Symbols: B.   b.  a unit for comparing two power levels, equal to the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the two powers See also decibel

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Bel ² British  

/ beɪl /

noun

1. (in Babylonian and Assyrian mythology) the god of the earth

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bel Scientific  

/ bĕl /

1. A unit of measurement equal to ten decibels.

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Etymology

Origin of bel

First recorded in 1925–30; named after A. G. Bell

Example Sentences

Riccardo Frizza’s fluid conducting drew out the score’s long bel canto lines and limned its propulsive rhythmic structure, and his flexible support of the singers made every aria and ensemble breathe and soar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

Her voice settled down in the second act, and she brought an appropriately old-fashioned feeling to “Un bel di,” her anticipation of a fine day as hopelessly unreal as everything on the stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2024

“I was fortunate to be the assistant conductor to two major conductors of bel canto opera,” Peleggi said in an interview at Seattle Opera Center soon after arriving in town for the start of rehearsals.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

Born Maria Anna Sophie Cecilia Kalogeropoulos in New York in December 1923 to Greek parents, Callas was credited with the almost single-handed revival of the Italian bel canto vocal technique.

From Reuters • Oct. 25, 2023

The goblet will still be in his room tomorrow, it must bel Let him hide it ever so well, I will find it somehow.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw