How to pronounce compensation
Say it like kahm-pun-SAY-shun. Compensation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compensation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahm
- pun
- SAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compensation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahmGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- punKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SAYSay 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 compensation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-pun-SAY-shun.
What does compensation mean?
- something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)
- (psychiatry) a defense mechanism that conceals your undesirable shortcomings by exaggerating desirable behaviors
- the act of compensating for service or loss or injury
Where does compensation come from?
From Middle English compensacioun, from Old French compensacion, from Latin compensātiōnem, accusative singular of compensātiō.
Words that rhyme with compensation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compensation.
Questions about saying compensation
How do you pronounce compensation?
Say kahm-pun-SAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmpənˈseɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmpənˈseɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compensation?
Compensation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY). Broken into parts: kahm · pun · SAY · shun.
Is compensation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒmpənˈseɪʃən/ (kom-pun-SAY-shun).