How to pronounce laboratory
Say it like LAB-ruh-tor-ee. Laboratory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAB).
- LAB
- ruh
- tor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans stress the first syllable ('LAB-ruh-tor-ee'); Britons stress the second ('luh-BORR-uh-tree').
Laboratory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- torGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of laboratory
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5.
British respelling: luh-BOR-uh-tuh-ree.
What does laboratory mean?
- A room, building or institution equipped for scientific research, experimentation or analysis.
- A place where chemicals, drugs or microbes are prepared or manufactured.
Where does laboratory come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin labōrātōrium.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- lab
- laboratorium
- research lab
- research laboratory
- science lab
- science laboratory
- testing ground
Questions about saying laboratory
How do you pronounce laboratory?
Say LAB-ruh-tor-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈlæbrəˌtɔri/. In British English it is /ləˈbɒrətəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in laboratory?
Laboratory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAB). Broken into parts: LAB · ruh · tor · ee.
Is laboratory pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5. The British form is /ləˈbɒrətəri/ (luh-BOR-uh-tuh-ree).