How to pronounce ecosystem
Say it like EE-koh-sis-tum. Ecosystem has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ecosystem. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EE
- koh
- sis
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ecosystem pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sisGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ecosystem
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: EE-koh-sis-tum.
What does ecosystem mean?
- a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment
Where does ecosystem come from?
From eco- + system. Coined by English botanist Arthur Tansley in 1935 in a paper titled The Use and Abuse of Vegetational Concepts in the journal Ecology.
Questions about saying ecosystem
How do you pronounce ecosystem?
Say EE-koh-sis-tum. The American pronunciation is /ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm/. In British English it is /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ecosystem?
Ecosystem has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · koh · sis · tum.
Is ecosystem pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ (EE-koh-sis-tum).