How to pronounce instruction
Say it like in-STRUHK-shun. Instruction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRUHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instruction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- STRUHK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instruction 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.
- STRUHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of instruction
American and British speakers say instruction in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/ in the US and /ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-STRUHK-shun.
What does instruction mean?
- a message describing how something is to be done“he gave directions faster than she could follow them”
- the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill“he received no formal education”“our instruction was carefully programmed”
- the profession of a teacher“he prepared for teaching while still in college”“pedagogy is recognized as an important profession”
Where does instruction come from?
From Middle English instruccioun, from Old French instruccion, from Latin instructio; equivalent to instruct + -ion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with instruction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of instruction.
- production
- construction
- introduction
- reduction
- destruction
- reconstruction
- reproduction
- induction
- obstruction
- deduction
Questions about saying instruction
How do you pronounce instruction?
Say in-STRUHK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/. In British English it is /ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instruction?
Instruction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRUHK). Broken into parts: in · STRUHK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say instruction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/ and the British form is /ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.