How to pronounce detonation
Say it like det-uh-NAY-shun. Detonation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce detonation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- det
- uh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Detonation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- detGive 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.
- NAYSay 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 detonation
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: det-uh-NAY-shun.
What does detonation mean?
- An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.“the detonation of gun cotton”
- Any sudden explosion made by an exothermic process (whether chemical or not) that produces a supersonic shock wave.“a nuclear detonation”
- Engine knocking, a type of improper combustion in gasoline piston engines.
Where does detonation come from?
From French détonation; equivalent to detonate + -ion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with detonation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of detonation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying detonation
How do you pronounce detonation?
Say det-uh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛtəˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɛtəˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in detonation?
Detonation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: det · uh · NAY · shun.
Is detonation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /dɛtəˈneɪʃən/ (det-uh-NAY-shun).