How to pronounce abstraction
Say it like ab-STRAK-shun. Abstraction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abstraction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- STRAK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abstraction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- STRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abstraction
American and British speakers say abstraction in essentially the same way: /æbˈstrækʃən/ in the US and /əbˈstrækʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-STRAK-shun.
What does abstraction mean?
- The act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away.
- The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining.
- Removal of water from a river, lake, or aquifer.
Where does abstraction come from?
From Middle English abstraccyone; either from Middle French abstraction or from Medieval Latin abstrāctiō (“separation”), from Latin abstrahō (“draw away”).
Words that rhyme with abstraction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abstraction.
Questions about saying abstraction
How do you pronounce abstraction?
Say ab-STRAK-shun. The American pronunciation is /æbˈstrækʃən/. In British English it is /əbˈstrækʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abstraction?
Abstraction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAK). Broken into parts: ab · STRAK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say abstraction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /æbˈstrækʃən/ and the British form is /əbˈstrækʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.