How to pronounce libation
Say it like ly-BAY-shun. Libation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce libation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ly
- BAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Libation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- lyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- BAYSay 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 libation
American and British speakers say libation in essentially the same way: /laɪˈbeɪʃən/ in the US and /laɪˈbeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ly-BAY-shun.
What does libation mean?
- The act of pouring a liquid, most often wine, in sacrifice on the ground, on a ritual object, or on a victim, in honor of some deity.
- The wine or liquid thus poured out.
- A beverage, especially an alcoholic one.
Where does libation come from?
From Latin lībātiō, from lībāre (“to take a little from anything, to taste, to pour out as an offering”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with libation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of libation.
Questions about saying libation
How do you pronounce libation?
Say ly-BAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /laɪˈbeɪʃən/. In British English it is /laɪˈbeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in libation?
Libation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY). Broken into parts: ly · BAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say libation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /laɪˈbeɪʃən/ and the British form is /laɪˈbeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.