How to pronounce activation
Say it like ak-tuh-VAY-shun. Activation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce activation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ak
- tuh
- VAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Activation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- akGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of activation
American and British speakers say activation in essentially the same way: /ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ak-tih-VAY-shun.
What does activation mean?
- stimulation of activity in an organism or chemical
- the activity of causing to have energy and be active
- making active and effective (as a bomb)
Where does activation come from?
From active or activate + -ation
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
- inactivation
- deactivation
Words that rhyme with activation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of activation.
Questions about saying activation
How do you pronounce activation?
Say ak-tuh-VAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in activation?
Activation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VAY). Broken into parts: ak · tuh · VAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say activation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.