refresh rate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2technical
Quick answer
What does “refresh rate” mean?
The frequency at which a display updates its image.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The frequency at which a display updates its image.
In computing and electronics, the number of times per second a display device, like a monitor or TV screen, redraws the image. A higher rate generally results in a smoother, less flickering visual experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions follow national norms (e.g., 'monitor' vs. 'display').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “refresh rate” in a Sentence
[adjective] refresh raterefresh rate of [number] Hzto have a [adjective] refresh rateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “refresh rate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The monitor refreshes at a rate of 144 Hz.
- Ensure your display is refreshing properly.
American English
- The screen refreshes at a high rate.
- The TV needs to refresh the image quickly.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard usage]
American English
- [Not standard usage]
adjective
British English
- A high-refresh-rate monitor is essential for competitive gaming.
- The refresh-rate settings are in the display menu.
American English
- Look for a high refresh rate display.
- The refresh rate capability is listed in the specs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Considered when purchasing monitors for an office to reduce eye strain.
Academic
Studied in fields like computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and display technology.
Everyday
Discussed when buying a new TV, gaming monitor, or smartphone.
Technical
A critical specification for displays, graphics cards, and gaming performance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “refresh rate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “refresh rate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “refresh rate”
- Using 'refresh rate' to mean 'speed of reloading a webpage' (correct term: 'load time' or 'page refresh').
- Confusing 'refresh rate' (Hz) with 'frame rate' (fps), though they are closely related.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes for motion clarity, but benefits become less noticeable to the human eye beyond a certain point (e.g., 240Hz), and it requires more powerful hardware to produce enough frames.
Refresh rate (Hz) is a property of the display—how many times per second it can draw a new image. Frame rate (fps) is a property of the content source (e.g., a game or video)—how many new frames it generates per second. They work best when synchronised.
Yes, most people can perceive a significant improvement in smoothness, especially in cursor movement, scrolling, and fast-moving video games.
Yes, a higher refresh rate can reduce perceived flicker, which may help reduce eye strain for some users during prolonged use.
The frequency at which a display updates its image.
Refresh rate is usually technical in register.
Refresh rate: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈfrɛʃ ˌreɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈfrɛʃ ˌreɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a painter REFRESHing a canvas at a certain RATE per second. The faster they repaint, the smoother the moving picture looks.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS SMOOTHNESS (A higher refresh rate metaphorically represents a smoother, more fluid visual experience).
Practice
Quiz
What is measured by 'refresh rate'?