Meaning & use
STC
Last updated
Meanings
abbreviationtechnical
Sound Transmission Class: a rating of how well a wall or floor blocks sound
Grammar: Used as a noun: 'The wall has an STC of 50.' It is often followed by a number.
Patterns
- STC rating
- an STC of [number]
The apartment walls have a high STC, so you can't hear the neighbors.
Architects check the STC of materials before building.
An STC of 45 is typical for interior office walls.
abbreviationproper
Society for Technical Communication: a professional group for technical writers
Grammar: Used as a proper noun: 'She is a member of STC.'
Patterns
- member of STC
- STC conference
He joined STC to network with other technical writers.
STC holds an annual conference for its members.
The STC website has resources for new writers.
abbreviationinformal
subject to change: used in schedules to mean details may be different later
Grammar: Used after a noun: 'Times are STC.' It is not used before a noun.
Patterns
- times are STC
- schedule is STC
The meeting time is STC, so check your email.
All prices are STC until the end of the month.
The bus schedule is STC during the holiday.
Common combinations
- STC rating
- The STC rating of this door is 35.
- high STC
- They chose a high STC for the recording studio.
- STC conference
- She presented at the STC conference last year.
- times are STC
- The event times are STC, so check back later.
Commonly confused: STC or STD?
STC vs STD
STD often means 'sexually transmitted disease'; STC is a different abbreviation.
Practice
In a building context, what does STC measure?
Choose one answer.
STC stands for Sound Transmission Class, which rates sound blocking. The other options are about strength, cost, or fire safety, which are not what STC measures.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “STC”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.