How to pronounce bourdon
Say it like BOOR-dun. Bourdon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bourdon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BOOR
- dun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bourdon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- dunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bourdon
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BOOR-dun.
What does bourdon mean?
- The drone pipe of a bagpipe.
- The lowest-pitched stop of an organ.
- The lowest-pitched bell of a carillon.
Where does bourdon come from?
Inherited from Middle English burdoun (“accompaniment”), from Old French bordon, from Medieval Latin burdō, burdōnem (“drone”), probably from Frankish *buʀdō (“grub, beetle, cricket, bumblebee”), related to Old English budda (“beetle”), Sat
Questions about saying bourdon
How do you pronounce bourdon?
Say BOOR-dun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbʊrdən/. In British English it is /ˈbʊədən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bourdon?
Bourdon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BOOR). Broken into parts: BOOR · dun.
Is bourdon pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbʊədən/ (BOOR-dun).