How to pronounce defoliation
Say it like dee-foh-lee-YAY-shun. Defoliation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (YAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defoliation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- foh
- lee
- YAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defoliation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- YAYSay 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 defoliation
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: dee-foh-lee-YAY-shun.
What does defoliation mean?
- The separation of ripened leaves from a branch or stem; the falling or shedding of the leaves.
Where does defoliation come from?
From defoliate + -ion.
Words that rhyme with defoliation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defoliation.
Questions about saying defoliation
How do you pronounce defoliation?
Say dee-foh-lee-YAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /diˌfoʊliˈjeɪʃən/. In British English it is /diːˌfəʊliːˈjeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defoliation?
Defoliation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (YAY). Broken into parts: dee · foh · lee · YAY · shun.
Is defoliation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /diːˌfəʊliːˈjeɪʃən/ (dee-foh-lee-YAY-shun).