How to pronounce penetration
Say it like pen-uh-TRAY-shun. Penetration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penetration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pen
- uh
- TRAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penetration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- penGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TRAYSay 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 penetration
American and British speakers say penetration in essentially the same way: /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pen-uh-TRAY-shun.
What does penetration mean?
- an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
- clear or deep perception of a situation
- the act of entering into or through something“the penetration of upper management by women”
Where does penetration come from?
From Middle English penetracioun, from Old French penetracïon, and its source, Latin penetrātiō, from the participle stem of penetrō (“pierce”, verb).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with penetration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of penetration.
Questions about saying penetration
How do you pronounce penetration?
Say pen-uh-TRAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penetration?
Penetration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TRAY). Broken into parts: pen · uh · TRAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say penetration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌpɛnəˈtreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.