How to pronounce prostration
Say it like prah-STRAY-shun. Prostration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prostration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- prah
- STRAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prostration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- STRAYSay 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 prostration
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pro-STRAY-shun.
What does prostration mean?
- The act or condition of prostrating oneself (lying face-down), as a sign of humility.
- A part of the ordination of Catholic and Orthodox priests, in which the ordinand lies prostrate in a gesture of submission to the will of God.
- The state of lying face down (prone).
Where does prostration come from?
From Middle English prostracioun, prostracyon, from Middle French prostration and its etymon Latin prōstrātiō, from prōstrātus, past participle of prōsternō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prostration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prostration.
Questions about saying prostration
How do you pronounce prostration?
Say prah-STRAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /prɑˈstreɪʃən/. In British English it is /prɒˈstreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prostration?
Prostration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY). Broken into parts: prah · STRAY · shun.
Is prostration pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /prɒˈstreɪʃən/ (pro-STRAY-shun).