threshold
/ˈθreʃhəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθreʃhəʊld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthresh-ˌhōld ˈthre-ˌshōld/ (ame, mw)
threshold — noun
- thresholdsingular
- thresholdsplural
1. a horizontal piece at the bottom of a doorway, made of wood, stone, or metal, th
a horizontal piece at the bottom of a doorway, made of wood, stone, or metal, that people step over when moving from one room or building to another.
Aarav lifted his sandals over the stone threshold as he entered the incense-filled temple.
step over + threshold — physical crossing
Three generations of footsteps had worn the oak farmhouse threshold into a shallow dip.
passive: threshold worn smooth by [agent]
Zola paused at the threshold, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
A stray cat sat on the threshold, watching the rain fall outside.
文法句型
[verb] + over/across/on + the threshold
用法筆記
Often appears with prepositions indicating physical position or movement: over, across, on, at (e.g., step over the threshold, stand on the threshold).
常見錯誤
2. the exact value, number, or degree at which a particular change, reaction, or ru
the exact value, number, or degree at which a particular change, reaction, or rule begins to happen — for example, the amount of pain a person can bear before feeling discomfort, or the annual income that makes someone pay a higher rate of tax.
At 120 decibels, Lin reached her pain threshold, though her partner could tolerate 140.
collocation: pain threshold
Scientists measured the hearing threshold of each participant in the study.
collocation: hearing threshold
Once your income passes a certain threshold, you must pay a higher tax rate.
Bilal's doctor said his cholesterol level was just below the danger threshold.
- limit
broader term; can mean the furthest extent allowed (speed limit) or the point where something stops, whereas threshold is where something starts
- cutoff
emphasizes an administrative or numerical stopping point rather than a starting point
- critical point
more technical and dramatic; suggests a moment of major change rather than a routine boundary
文法句型
threshold + for + noun
threshold + of + noun
[adjective] + threshold
[verb] + a threshold
用法筆記
Frequently appears in scientific, medical, and financial writing. Common collocations include pain threshold, tax threshold, hearing threshold, and threshold of pain. Often followed by for (threshold for action) or of (threshold of hearing).
常見錯誤
3. the point in time just before an important new situation, stage of life, or majo
the point in time just before an important new situation, stage of life, or major change begins — the moment when something new is about to start.
The company stood on the threshold of a major breakthrough in battery technology.
on the threshold of [milestone] — key phrase
Feng felt he stood on the threshold of a new chapter after graduation.
The peace talks brought the two nations to the threshold of a historic agreement.
As a young artist, Wren found herself on the threshold of international fame.
文法句型
on the threshold of + noun phrase
at the threshold of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in the construction on the threshold of + noun. Preferred in formal or literary writing rather than casual conversation.
常見錯誤
4. a line, edge, or region that marks where one area ends and another begins, espec
a line, edge, or region that marks where one area ends and another begins, especially in terms of physical space, geography, or territory.
The old stone bridge marked the park threshold, where the paved road turned to gravel.
marked the threshold of — verb + object pattern
The creek formed a natural threshold between the pasture and the woodland beyond.
The garden ended at the threshold of a dense forest that no one had mapped.
Beyond the threshold of the village lay miles of open grassland.
文法句型
the threshold between + noun and + noun
at the threshold of + place
用法筆記
Less common than the other noun senses. Typically describes a natural or historical dividing line rather than a political border. Often interchangeable with boundary or frontier in literary contexts.