How to pronounce nation
Say it like NAY-shun. Nation has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAYSay 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 nation
American and British speakers say nation in essentially the same way: /ˈneɪʃən/ in the US and /ˈneɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: NAY-shun.
What does nation mean?
- a politically organized body of people under a single government“the state has elected a new president”“African nations”
- the people who live in a nation or country“a statement that sums up the nation's mood”“the news was announced to the nation”
- United States prohibitionist who raided saloons and destroyed bottles of liquor with a hatchet (1846-1911)
Where does nation come from?
From Middle English nacioun, nacion, from Old French nacion, from Latin nātiōnem, accusative of nātiō (“nation”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with nation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying nation
How do you pronounce nation?
Say NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nation?
Nation has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY). Broken into parts: NAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say nation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈneɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˈneɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.