How to pronounce formation
Say it like for-MAY-shun. Formation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce formation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- for
- MAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Formation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- forKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- MAYSay 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 formation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: faw-MAY-shun.
What does formation mean?
- an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit“a defensive formation”“a formation of planes”
- the act of fabricating something in a particular shape
- the act of forming or establishing something“the constitution of a PTA group last year”“it was the establishment of his reputation”
Where does formation come from?
From Middle English formacioun, formation, borrowed from Old French formacion, from Latin fōrmātiō, from fōrmō (“form”, verb); see form as verb.
Words that rhyme with formation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of formation.
Questions about saying formation
How do you pronounce formation?
Say for-MAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /fɔrˈmeɪʃən/. In British English it is /fɔːˈmeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in formation?
Formation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAY). Broken into parts: for · MAY · shun.
Is formation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /fɔːˈmeɪʃən/ (faw-MAY-shun).