How to pronounce pernoctation
Say it like pur-nahk-TAY-shun. Pernoctation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pernoctation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- nahk
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pernoctation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nahkKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- TAYSay 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 pernoctation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pur-nok-TAY-shun.
What does pernoctation mean?
- The action of abiding through the night at a location; (countable) an instance of this; an overnight stay.
- The action of walking about at night, especially as a vigil or watch; (countable) an instance of this.
Where does pernoctation come from?
Learned borrowing from Late Latin pernoctātiō (“act of spending of the night (doing something, particularly praying)”), from pernoctō (“to spend the night”) + -tiō (action noun suffix).
Words that rhyme with pernoctation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pernoctation.
Questions about saying pernoctation
How do you pronounce pernoctation?
Say pur-nahk-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝnɑkˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːnɒkˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pernoctation?
Pernoctation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAY). Broken into parts: pur · nahk · TAY · shun.
Is pernoctation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌpɜːnɒkˈteɪʃən/ (pur-nok-TAY-shun).