How to pronounce distention
Say it like dih-STEN-shun. Distention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distention. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distention pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of distention
American and British speakers say distention in essentially the same way: /dɪˈstɛnʃən/ in the US and /dɪˈstɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-STEN-shun.
What does distention mean?
- Alternative form of distension (“the act of distending”).
Where does distention come from?
From Middle French distension.
Words that rhyme with distention
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distention.
Questions about saying distention
How do you pronounce distention?
Say dih-STEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstɛnʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˈstɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distention?
Distention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN). Broken into parts: dih · STEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say distention the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈstɛnʃən/ and the British form is /dɪˈstɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.