How to pronounce operation
Say it like ah-puh-RAY-shun. Operation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce operation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ah
- puh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Operation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay 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 operation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: op-uh-RAY-shun.
What does operation mean?
- the state of being in effect or being operative“that rule is no longer in operation”
- a business especially one run on a large scale“a large-scale farming operation”“a multinational operation”
- a planned activity involving many people performing various actions“they organized a rescue operation”“the biggest police operation in French history”
Where does operation come from?
From Middle English operacioun, from Old French operacion, from Latin operātiō, from the verb operor (“to work”), from opus, operis (“work”).
Words that rhyme with operation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of operation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- organization
- nation
- application
Questions about saying operation
How do you pronounce operation?
Say ah-puh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑpəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in operation?
Operation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: ah · puh · RAY · shun.
Is operation 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 /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ (op-uh-RAY-shun).