How to pronounce demolition
Say it like dem-uh-LISH-un. Demolition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce demolition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dem
- uh
- LISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Demolition pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- demGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of demolition
American and British speakers say demolition in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌdɪmɒˈlɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dim-o-LISH-un.
What does demolition mean?
- an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something
- the act of demolishing“the demolition of the huge tower was quite a spectacle”
Where does demolition come from?
From Old French demolition, from Latin dēmōlītiō (“a tearing down”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with demolition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of demolition.
Questions about saying demolition
How do you pronounce demolition?
Say dem-uh-LISH-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdɪmɒˈlɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in demolition?
Demolition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LISH). Broken into parts: dem · uh · LISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say demolition the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdɪmɒˈlɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.