How to pronounce distillation
Say it like dis-tuh-LAY-shun. Distillation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distillation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dis
- tuh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distillation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- disGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay 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 distillation
American and British speakers say distillation in essentially the same way: /ˌdɪstəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /dɪstɪˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-stih-LAY-shun.
What does distillation mean?
- The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops.
- That which falls in drops.
- Purification through repeated or continuous distilling; rectification.
Where does distillation come from?
From Middle English distillacioun, from Anglo-Norman distillacioun, from Latin distīllātiōnem, accusative of distīllātiō.
Words that rhyme with distillation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distillation.
Questions about saying distillation
How do you pronounce distillation?
Say dis-tuh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɪstəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɪstɪˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distillation?
Distillation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY). Broken into parts: dis · tuh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say distillation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɪstəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /dɪstɪˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.