How to pronounce countdown
Say it like KOWNT-down. Countdown has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWNT).
- KOWNT
- down
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Countdown pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- downGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of countdown
American and British speakers say countdown in essentially the same way: /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/ in the US and /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/ in the UK.
British respelling: KOWNT-down.
What does countdown mean?
- counting backward from an arbitrary number to indicate the time remaining before some event (such as launching a space vehicle)
Where does countdown come from?
From count + down.
Questions about saying countdown
How do you pronounce countdown?
Say KOWNT-down. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/. In British English it is /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in countdown?
Countdown has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWNT). Broken into parts: KOWNT · down.
Do Americans and Brits say countdown the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/ and the British form is /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.