phon

¹

[ fon ]

noun

1. 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.

phon-

²

1. variant of phono- before a vowel:

   phonic.

phon.

³

abbreviation for

1. phonetics.

phon

¹

/ fɒn /

noun

1. 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 ^–6pascal

phon.

²

abbreviation for

1. Alsophonet phonetics
2. phonology

phon

/ fŏn /

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phon¹

C20: via German from Greek phōnē sound, voice

Example Sentences

The Gry-phon sat up and rubbed its eyes; then watched the Queen till she was out of sight; then it laughed.

From Project Gutenberg

"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.

From Project Gutenberg

Steve might threaten what he liked, but jump Phon would not.

From Project Gutenberg

They say you go gamble, Chance he go gamble, Phon he go gamble too.

From Project Gutenberg

After the burial of Phon there was no more rest for the men in the "dug-out."

From Project Gutenberg