How to pronounce constipation
Say it like kahn-stuh-PAY-shun. Constipation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce constipation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- stuh
- PAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Constipation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PAYSay 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 constipation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-stuh-PAY-shun.
What does constipation mean?
- The act of crowding anything into a lesser space, or the state of being crowded or pressed together; condensation.
Where does constipation come from?
First attested in the beginning of the 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English constipacioun, borrowed from Medieval Latin constīpātiō or its Old French equivalent, from cōnstīpō + -tiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with constipation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of constipation.
Questions about saying constipation
How do you pronounce constipation?
Say kahn-stuh-PAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑnstəˈpeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒnstəˈpeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in constipation?
Constipation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PAY). Broken into parts: kahn · stuh · PAY · shun.
Is constipation 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 /ˌkɒnstəˈpeɪʃən/ (kon-stuh-PAY-shun).