How to pronounce postpartum
Say it like pohst-PAR-tum. Postpartum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce postpartum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pohst
- PAR
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Postpartum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pohstGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- PARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of postpartum
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: pohst-PAH-tum.
What does postpartum mean?
- After giving birth (often defined as within 30 days after childbirth).
- After giving birth.
- The period immediately following childbirth.
Where does postpartum come from?
1844, from Latin post (“after”) + partum (“giving birth”), form of partus, from pariō (“to give birth”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to bring forth”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying postpartum
How do you pronounce postpartum?
Say pohst-PAR-tum. The American pronunciation is /ˌpoʊstˈpɑrtəm/. In British English it is /ˌpəʊstˈpɑːtəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in postpartum?
Postpartum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAR). Broken into parts: pohst · PAR · tum.
Is postpartum 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 /ˌpəʊstˈpɑːtəm/ (pohst-PAH-tum).