How to pronounce relaxation
Say it like ree-lak-SAY-shun. Relaxation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce relaxation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- lak
- SAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relaxation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lakKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- SAYSay 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 relaxation
American and British speakers say relaxation in essentially the same way: /ˌrilækˈseɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ree-lak-SAY-shun.
What does relaxation mean?
- (physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
- (physics) the exponential return of a system to equilibrium after a disturbance
- a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry“the easiness we feel when sleeping”
Where does relaxation come from?
Borrowed from Latin relaxatio, relaxationis; equivalent to relax + -ation.
Words that rhyme with relaxation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of relaxation.
Questions about saying relaxation
How do you pronounce relaxation?
Say ree-lak-SAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌrilækˈseɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relaxation?
Relaxation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY). Broken into parts: ree · lak · SAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say relaxation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌrilækˈseɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.