How to pronounce precept
Say it like PREE-sept. Precept has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce precept. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREE
- sept
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Precept pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- septGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of precept
American and British speakers say precept in essentially the same way: /ˈpriˌsɛpt/ in the US and /ˈpriːˌsɛpt/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREE-sept.
What does precept mean?
- A rule or principle, especially one governing personal conduct.“Precept guides, but example draws.”
- A written command, especially a demand for payment.
- An order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf.
- To act as a preceptor; to teach a physician-in-training by supervising their clinical practice.
Where does precept come from?
Borrowed from Late Latin praeceptum, form of praecipiō (“to teach”), from Latin prae (“pre-”) + capiō (“take”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying precept
How do you pronounce precept?
Say PREE-sept. The American pronunciation is /ˈpriˌsɛpt/. In British English it is /ˈpriːˌsɛpt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in precept?
Precept has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE). Broken into parts: PREE · sept.
Do Americans and Brits say precept the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpriˌsɛpt/ and the British form is /ˈpriːˌsɛpt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.