How to pronounce prefecture
Say it like PREE-fek-cher. Prefecture has three 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 prefecture. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREE
- fek
- cher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prefecture 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.
- fekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- cherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of prefecture
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PREE-fek-chuh.
What does prefecture mean?
- The office or position of a prefect.
- The jurisdiction of a prefect; the region administered by a prefect, especially as a translation of certain French, Chinese, and Japanese administrative divisions.
Where does prefecture come from?
Borrowed from Middle French préfecture, from Latin praefectūra.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying prefecture
How do you pronounce prefecture?
Say PREE-fek-cher. The American pronunciation is /ˈpriˌfɛktʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpriːfɛktʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prefecture?
Prefecture has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE). Broken into parts: PREE · fek · cher.
Is prefecture 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 /ˈpriːfɛktʃə/ (PREE-fek-chuh).