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noun
A unit used in the comparison of power levels in electrical communication or of intensities of sound, corresponding to an intensity ratio of 10 to 1.
See also decibel- ‘They are also exceptionally quiet, emitting just 2.1 bels of noise at idle.’
- ‘As for the acoustic characteristics of the drive it generates 2.4 bels of noise in the idle mode.’
- ‘The drives are rated at under 2.5 bels of acoustic power, the same level of acoustic noise produced by Seagate's PC drives.’
- ‘Select a heat pump with an outdoor sound rating of 7.6 bels or lower.’
- ‘The present invention is a computer chassis assembly that can adequately cool an electronic system which generates 450 watts of heat, without emitting cooling fan noise above 5 bels of sound power.’
Origin
1920s: from the name of A. G. Bell (see Bell, Alexander Graham).
Pronunciation
proper noun
- another name for Baal
