How to pronounce defenestrate
Say it like duh-FEN-ih-strayt. Defenestrate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defenestrate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- FEN
- ih
- strayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defenestrate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- straytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of defenestrate
American and British speakers say defenestrate in essentially the same way: /dəˈfɛnɪstreɪt/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnɪstreɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FEN-ih-strayt.
What does defenestrate mean?
- To eject or throw (someone or something) from or through a window.
- To throw out; to remove or dismiss (someone) from a position of power or authority.
- To remove a Windows operating system from (a computer).
Where does defenestrate come from?
First attested in 1904; back-formation from defenestration on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), from New Latin dē- (“out”) + fenestra (“window”) + -ātiō (“-ation”).
Questions about saying defenestrate
How do you pronounce defenestrate?
Say duh-FEN-ih-strayt. The American pronunciation is /dəˈfɛnɪstreɪt/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛnɪstreɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defenestrate?
Defenestrate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN). Broken into parts: duh · FEN · ih · strayt.
Do Americans and Brits say defenestrate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dəˈfɛnɪstreɪt/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛnɪstreɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.