How to pronounce relay
Say it like REE-lay. Relay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce relay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REE
- lay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- layGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of relay
American and British speakers say relay in essentially the same way: /ˈriˌleɪ/ in the US and /ˈriːleɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: REE-lay.
What does relay mean?
- the act of passing something along from one person or group to another“the relay was successful”
- a crew of workers who relieve another crew
- a fresh team to relieve weary draft animals
- pass along“Please relay the news to the villagers”
- control or operate by relay
Where does relay come from?
From Middle French relai (“reserve pack of hounds”), from relaier (“to exchange tired animals for fresh”); literally, "to leave behind", from Old French relaier (“to leave behind”), from re- + laier (“to leave”), of uncertain origin.
Questions about saying relay
How do you pronounce relay?
Say REE-lay. The American pronunciation is /ˈriˌleɪ/. In British English it is /ˈriːleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relay?
Relay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE). Broken into parts: REE · lay.
Do Americans and Brits say relay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈriˌleɪ/ and the British form is /ˈriːleɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.