threshold

American  

[thresh-ohld, thresh-hohld] / ˈθrɛʃ oʊld, ˈθrɛʃ hoʊld /

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 British  

/ ˈθrɛʃˌhəʊld, ˈθrɛʃəʊld /

noun

1. Also called: doorsill.  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. 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 price

      threshold effect

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

---

Etymology

Origin of threshold

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

Example Sentences

Sean Eddy, a professor of molecular and cellular biology, said about 70% of the grades he gives are A’s because that many students meet the threshold for what he considers mastery of the material.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Each saw funds receive requests of more than 5% of shares outstanding, the threshold at which most funds limit redemptions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

There have been other clear examples of clubs reluctantly cashing in on their academy stars to get above the PSR threshold.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Given that support was only just above the 15% threshold, it was decided at committee stage not to proceed with the new sign, and this was narrowly agreed by the full council.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Neel kept his eyes on his sandals as he left them on the flat stone threshold.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• brink
• verge