How to pronounce imprisonment
Say it like im-PRIZ-un-munt. Imprisonment has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRIZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce imprisonment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PRIZ
- un
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Imprisonment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PRIZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of imprisonment
American and British speakers say imprisonment in essentially the same way: /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/ in the US and /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-PRIZ-un-munt.
What does imprisonment mean?
- putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
- the state of being imprisoned“he was held in captivity until he died”“the imprisonment of captured soldiers”
- the act of confining someone in a prison (or as if in a prison)
Where does imprisonment come from?
From Anglo-Norman emprisonement, from Old French emprisonnement.
Questions about saying imprisonment
How do you pronounce imprisonment?
Say im-PRIZ-un-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/. In British English it is /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in imprisonment?
Imprisonment has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRIZ). Broken into parts: im · PRIZ · un · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say imprisonment the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/ and the British form is /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.