How to pronounce prison
Say it like PRIZ-un. Prison has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prison. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRIZ
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prison pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRIZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prison
American and British speakers say prison in essentially the same way: /ˈprɪzən/ in the US and /ˈprɪzən/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRIZ-un.
What does prison mean?
- a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
- a prisonlike situation; a place of seeming confinement
Where does prison come from?
From Middle English prisoun, prison, from Old English prisūn, a borrowing from Old French prison, from Latin prehensiōnem, accusative singular of prehensiō, from the verb prehendō.
Words that rhyme with prison
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prison.
Questions about saying prison
How do you pronounce prison?
Say PRIZ-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɪzən/. In British English it is /ˈprɪzən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prison?
Prison has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIZ). Broken into parts: PRIZ · un.
Do Americans and Brits say prison the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprɪzən/ and the British form is /ˈprɪzən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.