How to pronounce diaphragm
Say it like DY-uh-fram. Diaphragm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diaphragm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DY
- uh
- fram
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diaphragm pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- framGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of diaphragm
American and British speakers say diaphragm in essentially the same way: /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/ in the US and /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/ in the UK.
British respelling: DY-uh-fram.
What does diaphragm mean?
- In mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the lungs.“thoracic diaphragm”
- Any of various membranes or sheets of muscle or ligament which separate one cavity from another.
- A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.
- To reduce lens aperture using an optical diaphragm.
- To act as a diaphragm, for example by vibrating.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying diaphragm
How do you pronounce diaphragm?
Say DY-uh-fram. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/. In British English it is /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diaphragm?
Diaphragm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DY). Broken into parts: DY · uh · fram.
Do Americans and Brits say diaphragm the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/ and the British form is /ˈdaɪəˌfræm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.