English Reference

Word

RMS

Phoneticsrms

Definition

n. Stands for Root Mean Square. A way to calculate the average value of a set of numbers that change over time, like an electrical signal or sound wave. It helps you understand the true power or strength of the signal.

n. Abbreviation for Root Mean Square. A statistical measure of the magnitude of a varying quantity, calculated as the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of the values. It is the standard method for expressing the effective value of alternating current or audio signals.

Examples

“The speakers have an RMS power rating of 50 watts.”

“Engineers use the RMS value to determine the effective voltage of an AC power supply, as it represents the equivalent DC power.”

“When comparing audio amplifiers, the RMS power output provides a more accurate representation of sustained performance than the peak power rating, which only measures short bursts of energy.”

Examples

simple

“The speakers have an RMS power rating of 50 watts.”

contextual

“Engineers use the RMS value to determine the effective voltage of an AC power supply, as it represents the equivalent DC power.”

complex

“When comparing audio amplifiers, the RMS power output provides a more accurate representation of sustained performance than the peak power rating, which only measures short bursts of energy.”

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'RMS voltage', 'RMS power').

Real-World Examples

“Stanley Weiss first encountered Guy Burgess drinking in the lounge aboard the RMS Caronia in the summer of 1950.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 10 Jan 2017

Domains

ComputingElectronicsNauticalStatistics

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference