How to pronounce halberd
Say it like HAL-berd. Halberd has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce halberd. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAL
- berd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Halberd pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- berdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of halberd
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAL-bud.
What does halberd mean?
- A two-handed pole weapon, consisting of a long pole with an axe-like blade mounted on it (at a right angle like an axe, not on the tip like a spear), and (opposite the blade) typically a spike or hook.
Where does halberd come from?
(1495) Middle French hallebarde, from Italian alabarda, from Middle High German helmbarte (“broad-axe with handle”), from halm, from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle”) + barte (“hatchet”), from *bardaz (“broadax”), literally "beard."
Questions about saying halberd
How do you pronounce halberd?
Say HAL-berd. The American pronunciation is /ˈhælbɚd/. In British English it is /ˈhælbəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in halberd?
Halberd has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAL). Broken into parts: HAL · berd.
Is halberd 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 /ˈhælbəd/ (HAL-bud).