How to pronounce headcount
Say it like HED-kownt. Headcount has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce headcount. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HED
- kownt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Headcount pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- kowntGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of headcount
American and British speakers say headcount in essentially the same way: /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/ in the US and /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: HED-kownt.
What does headcount mean?
- The act of counting how many people are present in a group.“Let's take a quick headcount, to make sure we're all here.”
- The number of people present in a group or employed by a company.“The company's headcount on January 1 was 15,203.”
- More generally, a consideration of a company's appropriate staffing level based on some larger context.“Due to economic difficulties, the company will be making headcount adjustments.”
Where does headcount come from?
From head + count.
Questions about saying headcount
How do you pronounce headcount?
Say HED-kownt. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/. In British English it is /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in headcount?
Headcount has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED). Broken into parts: HED · kownt.
Do Americans and Brits say headcount the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/ and the British form is /ˈhɛdˌkaʊnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.