phon

[ fon ]

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.

Origin of phon

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

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

Origin of 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.

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