How to pronounce lockdown
Say it like LOK-down. Lockdown has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lockdown. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOK
- down
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lockdown pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- downGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of lockdown
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: LOK-down.
What does lockdown mean?
- the act of confining prisoners to their cells (usually to regain control during a riot)
Where does lockdown come from?
Deverbal from lock down.
Words that rhyme with lockdown
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lockdown.
Questions about saying lockdown
How do you pronounce lockdown?
Say LOK-down. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɑkˌdaʊn/. In British English it is /ˈlɒkˌdaʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lockdown?
Lockdown has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOK). Broken into parts: LOK · down.
Is lockdown pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈlɒkˌdaʊn/ (LOK-down).