phon

[ fon ]

/ fɒn /

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noun

a unit for measuring the apparent loudness of a sound, equal in number for a given sound to the intensity in decibels of a sound having a frequency of 1000 cycles per second when, in the judgment of a group of listeners, the two sounds are of equal loudness.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of phon

First recorded in 1930–35, phon is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice

Words nearby phon

Phoenix Islands, Phoenixville, Pholidota, Pholus, Phomvihane, phon, phonasthenia, phonate, phonathon, phonation, phone

Other definitions for phon (2 of 3)

phon-

variant of phono- before a vowel: phonic.

Other definitions for phon (3 of 3)

phon.

abbreviation

phonetics.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use phon in a sentence

The Gry-phon sat up and rubbed its eyes; then watched the Queen till she was out of sight; then it laughed.
Alice in Wonderland|J.C. Gorham
"Same as if he had a bone in his throat," said the Gry-phon, and set to work to shake him and punch him in the back.
Alice in Wonderland|J.C. Gorham
Steve might threaten what he liked, but jump Phon would not.
Gold, Gold, in Cariboo!|Clive Phillipps-Wolley
They say you go gamble, Chance he go gamble, Phon he go gamble too.
Gold, Gold, in Cariboo!|Clive Phillipps-Wolley

After the burial of Phon there was no more rest for the men in the "dug-out."
Gold, Gold, in Cariboo!|Clive Phillipps-Wolley

British Dictionary definitions for phon (1 of 2)

phon

/ (fɒn) /

noun

a unit of loudness that measures the intensity of a sound by the number of decibels it is above a reference tone having a frequency of 1000 hertz and a root-mean-square sound pressure of 20 × 10 –6 pascal

Word Origin for phon

C20: via German from Greek phōnē sound, voice

British Dictionary definitions for phon (2 of 2)

phon.

abbreviation for

Also: phonet phonetics

phonology

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for phon

phon

[ fŏn ]

A unit of apparent loudness. The loudness of a signal in phons is equal to the intensity in decibels of a 1,000-hertz tone judged to be as loud as the signal being measured.