How to pronounce congregation
Say it like kahng-gruh-GAY-shun. Congregation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce congregation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahng
- gruh
- GAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Congregation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahngGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- gruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- GAYSay 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 congregation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kong-grih-GAY-shun.
What does congregation mean?
- a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
- an assemblage of people or animals or things collected together“a congregation of children pleaded for his autograph”“a great congregation of birds flew over”
- the act of congregating
Where does congregation come from?
From Middle English congregacioun, from Old French congregacion, from Latin congregātiō, itself from congregō (“to herd into a flock”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with congregation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of congregation.
Questions about saying congregation
How do you pronounce congregation?
Say kahng-gruh-GAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in congregation?
Congregation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAY). Broken into parts: kahng · gruh · GAY · shun.
Is congregation 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 /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (kong-grih-GAY-shun).