How to pronounce execution
Say it like ek-suh-KYOO-shun. Execution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce execution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- suh
- KYOO
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Execution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of execution
American and British speakers say execution in essentially the same way: /ˌɛksəˈkjuʃən/ in the US and /ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ek-sih-KYOO-shun.
What does execution mean?
- putting a condemned person to death
- the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it“they criticised his performance as mayor”“experience generally improves performance”
- (computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer
Where does execution come from?
From Old French execution (c.1360), from Latin exsecutiō, an agent noun from exsequor (“to follow out”), from ex (“out”) + sequor (“follow”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with execution
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of execution.
- solution
- distribution
- resolution
- constitution
- revolution
- evolution
- institution
- contribution
- pollution
- prosecution
Questions about saying execution
How do you pronounce execution?
Say ek-suh-KYOO-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛksəˈkjuʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in execution?
Execution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO). Broken into parts: ek · suh · KYOO · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say execution the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛksəˈkjuʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.