treble

1 of 3

noun

tre·​ble ˈtre-bəl 

1

a

: the highest voice part in harmonic music : soprano

b

: one that performs a treble part

also : a member of a family of instruments having the highest range

c

: a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound

d

: the upper half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range compare bass

e

: the higher portion of the audio frequency range in sound recording and broadcasting

2

: something treble in construction, uses, amount, number, or value

treble

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: relating to or having the range or part of a treble

b

: high-pitched, shrill

c

: of, relating to, or having the range of treble in sound recording and broadcasting

treble frequencies

2

a

: having three parts or uses : threefold

b

: triple in number or amount

trebly

ˈtre-b(ə-)lē 

adverb

treble

3 of 3

verb

trebled; trebling ˈtre-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to increase threefold

intransitive verb

1

: to sing treble

2

: to grow to three times the size, amount, or number

Synonyms

Adjective

• high-pitched
• piping
• screeching
• shrieking
• shrill
• squeaking
• squeaky
• whistling

Examples of treble in a Sentence

Noun

Turn down the treble on the radio and turn up the bass.

The part is sung by a boy treble.

Adjective

the treble shrieks of children at play

a treble painting, with each panel telling a different part of the Nativity story

Verb

She trebled her earnings in only two years.

Prices have trebled in only two years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Earbud Deals The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro stand out with a dual-driver setup, delivering excellent audio performance with rich bass and clear treble. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 2 Dec. 2024

Madrid of course won a treble in 2023/2024 which included record-extending 15th and 36th UCL and La Liga crowns. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The mids have a clean presentation and the treble frequencies are better controlled, providing great spatial awareness that’s invaluable in gaming. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Augsburg are not a Bundesliga big beast so, most likely, this latest treble — two penalties and a late, scruffy third — will not draw much attention on its own. —Luke Bosher, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024

Verb

That perception trebled with roles that exploited Pamela Anderson the persona and did little to indicate the presence of an actress. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Antitrust law damages can be trebled, meaning the NFL could have been ordered to pay $14.1 billion. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, the highest part in a three-part composition, from treble, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin triplus — more at triple

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing treble

• treble clef
• treble staff

Kids Definition

treble

1 of 3 noun

tre·​ble ˈtreb-əl 

1

a

: the highest of the four voice parts in vocal music : soprano

b

: a singer or instrument having the highest range

2

: a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound

3

: the upper half of the musical pitch range compare bass entry 2

treble

2 of 3 adjective

1

a

: having three parts

b

: triple in number or amount

2

a

: relating to or having the range of a musical treble

treble voice

b

: high-pitched, shrill

trebly

ˈtreb-(ə-)lē 

adverb

treble

3 of 3 verb

trebled; trebling ˈtreb-(ə-)liŋ 

: to make or become three times the size, amount, or number