How to pronounce initiation
Say it like in-ish-ee-AY-shun. Initiation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce initiation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ish
- ee
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Initiation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ishGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AYSay 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 initiation
American and British speakers say initiation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ɪˌnɪʃɪˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-nish-ih-AY-shun.
What does initiation mean?
- a formal entry into an organization or position or office“his initiation into the club”“he was ordered to report for induction into the army”
- the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new“she looked forward to her initiation as an adult”“the foundation of a new scientific society”
- wisdom as evidenced by the possession of knowledge“his knowledgeability impressed me”“his dullness was due to lack of initiation”
Where does initiation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French initiation, from Latin initiātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with initiation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of initiation.
Questions about saying initiation
How do you pronounce initiation?
Say in-ish-ee-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪˌnɪʃɪˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in initiation?
Initiation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY). Broken into parts: in · ish · ee · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say initiation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɪˌnɪʃɪˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.