threshold — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The lowermost part of a doorway that one crosses to enter; a sill.

   Synonyms

   doorsilldoorstep

   Examples

   Near-synonym: doorstep

2. An entrance; the door or gate of a house.

   Usage

   • broadly

   Synonyms

   doorwayportal

   Examples

   Shy. You that did voide your rume vpon my beard, / And foote me as you ſpurne a ſtranger curre / Ouer your threſhold, […]

3. Any end or boundary.

   Usage

   • broadly

4. The outset of something; the point of entry, or the beginning of an action.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   on the threshold of maturity

   More examples (2)

   I arrived at last, did obeisance to my uncle, and told him everything. He thought it over and said: ' […] At the threshold of death, how dare I give you permission to go to England, to cross the seas? But I will not stand in your way. It is your mother's permission which really matters. If she permit you, then godspeed! Tell her I will not interfere. You will go with my blessings.'

   The first half of this century has been referred to as the golden age of medicine. To me it seems more probable that we are on the threshold of a much greater age.

5. The start of the landing area of a runway.

6. The quantitative point at which an action is triggered, especially a lower limit.

7. The wage or salary at which income tax becomes due.

8. The point where one is mentally or physically vulnerable in response to a provocation or to other nuisances.

Noun

1. the starting point for a new state or experience

   Broader terms

   beginningcommencementfirstoutsetget-gostartkickoffstarting timeshowtimeoffset

   Examples

   on the threshold of manhood

2. the smallest detectable sensation

   Synonyms

   limen

   Broader terms

   sensationesthesisaesthesissense experiencesense impressionsense datum

3. the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

   Synonyms

   doorwaydoorroom access

   Broader terms

   entranceentrancewayentrywayentryentree

   Examples

   he stuck his head in the doorway

4. the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway

   Synonyms

   doorsilldoorstep

   Broader terms

   sill

5. a region marking a boundary

   Synonyms

   brinkverge

   Broader terms

   boundaryedgebound