threshold
minimum level that triggers change
The smallest level, amount, or point where something starts to happen or to be noticed.
the threshold for [something]
- His pain threshold is so high that he rarely takes medicine.
- The company will only hire candidates whose test scores pass a certain threshold.
- Scientists believe the planet is approaching a dangerous temperature threshold.
- There is an income threshold below which families pay no tax.
- The alarm is set to go off when the noise level crosses a specific threshold.
- My pain threshold is low, so I feel pain easily.
- There is a minimum age threshold to enter the club.
- If the sound goes over this threshold, the alarm will ring.
- Her score was just below the threshold for a scholarship.
- The doctor tested the threshold at which he could feel touch.
bottom part of a doorway
The piece at the bottom of a door that you step over when you go into or out of a room or building.
the threshold of [a room/building]
- She paused on the threshold before entering the dark room.
- Please wipe your shoes before you cross the threshold.
- He left his muddy boots just inside the threshold.
- The old wooden threshold was worn smooth by years of use.
- They decorated the threshold with flowers for the wedding.
- He stood at the threshold of the house and knocked.
- She stepped over the threshold and went into the kitchen.
- Please do not leave your bag on the threshold.
- The cat waited on the threshold for someone to open the door.
- Rainwater came in under the threshold during the storm.
point before a new stage begins
A point in time when you are just about to enter a new and important stage or period.
on the threshold of [a new stage]
- The country is on the threshold of major political change.
- She felt she was standing on the threshold of a new life.
- We are at the threshold of an exciting scientific revolution.
- The project is on the threshold of success after years of work.
- He saw graduation as the threshold of adulthood.
- The team is on the threshold of winning the championship.
- She feels she is on the threshold of a big change in her life.
- Many people think we are on the threshold of a new age of technology.
- He is on the threshold of his career after finishing university.
- They are on the threshold of becoming parents.
apply a cutoff to data/signal
In technical fields, to change a signal or data by using a fixed value, so numbers above or below that value are treated in a special way.
to threshold [data/signal/image]
- The software can automatically threshold the image to highlight the cells.
- We thresholded the signal at 40 dB to remove background noise.
- After you threshold the data, only values above the cutoff will be displayed.
- You may need to manually threshold the image for better contrast.
- The program can threshold the image for you.
- They threshold the data to remove small values.
- You should threshold the signal at this level.
- We thresholded the picture so that only bright areas are shown.
- Base: threshold
- Plural: thresholds
- Base: threshold
- 3rd Person Singular: thresholds
- Present Participle: thresholding
- Past: thresholded
cross the threshold
1enter by stepping over doorway line
To enter a house or room by stepping over the line at the bottom of the doorway; sometimes also used figuratively for entering a new stage.
- She took a deep breath and crossed the threshold of her new home.
- The moment he crossed the threshold, the crowd began to cheer.
on the threshold of
1about to start a new stage
To be very close to starting a new and often important period, situation, or stage in life or history.
- The company is on the threshold of major expansion.
- We are on the threshold of discovering a cure for the disease.