How to pronounce escalation
Say it like es-kuh-LAY-shun. Escalation 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 escalation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- es
- kuh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Escalation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- esGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- kuhKeep 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 escalation
American and British speakers say escalation in essentially the same way: /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: es-kuh-LAY-shun.
What does escalation mean?
- The act of escalating.
- An increase or rise, especially to counteract a perceived discrepancy.
- A deliberate or premeditated increase in the violence or geographic scope of a conflict.
Where does escalation come from?
From escalate + -ion.
Words that rhyme with escalation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of escalation.
Questions about saying escalation
How do you pronounce escalation?
Say es-kuh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in escalation?
Escalation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY). Broken into parts: es · kuh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say escalation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.