signal strength

USAGE SUMMARY

'signal strength' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used when talking about technology, such as cellular or wi-fi signals. For example, "The technician had to adjust the antenna to increase the signal strength."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The L.C.D. screen shows the name and signal strength of connections close by.

The New York Times

There is no ethernet port, but the signal strength was excellent in testing.

The Guardian - Tech

This November, 11 musicians playing in nine different stations performed an amazing composition called Signal Strength.

The Guardian

For a few days, we made adjustments until our signal strength was above 90.

The New York Times

The sonic experience was open-ended and subject to the whims of signal strength and feedback.

The Guardian - Arts

Speed and signal strength diminish proportionally as you move away from the router.

The New York Times - Tech

T-Mobile's coverage map shows full signal strength throughout the Upper West Side, including Columbia.

The New York Times - Tech

· Signal strength indicator.

TechCrunch

received signal strength indication.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Network Triangulation (signal strength-based).

TechCrunch

2) Received signal strength-based fingerprinting.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In consumer-facing documentation, use "signal strength" to describe connectivity issues, as it is the most recognized term for non-experts.

Common error

Do not use "signal strength" as a direct synonym for throughput or speed. A device can have a high "signal strength" but low data speeds due to network congestion or interference (poor signal quality). Use these terms distinctly in technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signal strength" functions as a compound noun where "signal" acts as an attributive noun modifying the head noun "strength". According to Ludwig, it is primarily used as an uncountable noun in general contexts, though it can be quantified in scientific measurements. It follows standard English grammar rules for technical nomenclature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "signal strength" is a fundamental and very common phrase in contemporary English, bridging the gap between high-level scientific research and everyday consumer technology. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently encountered in Science and News & Media contexts, where it serves as the definitive term for the power of a transmission. Whether you are reading about the latest smartphone review in TechCrunch or analyzing a peer-reviewed study in PLOS ONE, the term remains consistent in its meaning and grammatical application. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with signal quality, as the former relates to power while the latter relates to clarity. Overall, it is a robust, correct and essential term for any discussion involving wireless technology or digital communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signal intensity

often used in scientific contexts to describe the physical power of the wave

signal level

typically refers to the decibel measurement in engineering and audio contexts

signal power

a more formal engineering term referring to the wattage or amplitude

reception quality

focuses on the clarity and reliability of the signal from the user's perspective

signal quality

implies a metric that accounts for noise and interference, not just raw power

connection strength

broadens the scope to include the stability of the digital link

reception strength

emphasizes the device's ability to capture the incoming signal

link quality

specific to networking where the robustness of the data path is measured

wireless signal

replaces the abstract concept with a more descriptive noun for the medium

coverage quality

refers more to the geographic availability of a network signal

FAQs

How to use "signal strength" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the performance of a device, such as "The router was moved to the center of the house to maximize "signal strength" for all users."

What can I say instead of "signal strength"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "reception quality", "signal intensity" or "connection strength".

What is the difference between "signal strength" and signal quality?

"Signal strength" refers to the raw power level of a signal, while "signal quality" refers to how clear the signal is relative to background noise (SNR).

Is "signal strength" or "signalling strength" more common?

In almost all modern contexts, ""signal strength"" is the standard term. "Signalling strength" is rarely used and often sounds unnatural in a technical or everyday context.