How to pronounce panopticon
Say it like puh-NAHP-tih-kahn. Panopticon has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAHP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce panopticon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- NAHP
- tih
- kahn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Panopticon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of panopticon
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: puh-NOP-tih-kon.
What does panopticon mean?
- A type of prison where all the cells are visible from the center, particularly if it is not possible for those in a cell to know if they are being watched.
- A place in which people are subject to constant surveillance at totalitarian command.
- A room for the exhibition of novelties.
Questions about saying panopticon
How do you pronounce panopticon?
Say puh-NAHP-tih-kahn. The American pronunciation is /pəˈnɑptɪˌkɑn/. In British English it is /pəˈnɒptɪkɒn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in panopticon?
Panopticon has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAHP). Broken into parts: puh · NAHP · tih · kahn.
Is panopticon 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 /pəˈnɒptɪkɒn/ (puh-NOP-tih-kon).