How to pronounce expiration
Say it like ek-spuh-RAY-shun. Expiration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce expiration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- spuh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Expiration 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.
- spuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay 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 expiration
American and British speakers say expiration in essentially the same way: /ˌɛkspəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ek-spih-RAY-shun.
What does expiration mean?
- The act or process of breathing out, or forcing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth.“crackles heard on expiration”
- A single outward breath.“labored expirations”
- Other similar release of volatile matter.
Where does expiration come from?
From Middle English expiracioun, exspiracioun (“vapor, breath”), from Latin expīrātiōnem, exspīrātiōnem, accusative singular of expīrātiō, exspīrātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with expiration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of expiration.
Questions about saying expiration
How do you pronounce expiration?
Say ek-spuh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛkspəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in expiration?
Expiration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: ek · spuh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say expiration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛkspəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.