How to pronounce circumvallation
Say it like ser-kum-va-LAY-shun. Circumvallation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circumvallation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ser
- kum
- va
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumvallation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- serKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- vaKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- LAYSay 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 circumvallation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sur-kum-va-LAY-shun.
What does circumvallation mean?
- A rampart or other defensive entrenchment that entirely encircles the position being defended.
Where does circumvallation come from?
Borrowed from Latin circumvāllātiō.
Words that rhyme with circumvallation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of circumvallation.
Questions about saying circumvallation
How do you pronounce circumvallation?
Say ser-kum-va-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /sɚkəmvæˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /sɜːkəmvæˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumvallation?
Circumvallation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY). Broken into parts: ser · kum · va · LAY · shun.
Is circumvallation 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 /sɜːkəmvæˈleɪʃən/ (sur-kum-va-LAY-shun).