How to pronounce retardation
Say it like ree-tar-DAY-shun. Retardation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retardation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- tar
- DAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retardation 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.
- tarKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- DAYSay 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 retardation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ree-tah-DAY-shun.
What does retardation mean?
- The distance by which one wave is behind another.
- The act of diminishing the rate of speed.
- A decrease in the speed of telegraph signaling.
Where does retardation come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin retardātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with retardation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retardation.
Questions about saying retardation
How do you pronounce retardation?
Say ree-tar-DAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌritɑrˈdeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retardation?
Retardation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DAY). Broken into parts: ree · tar · DAY · shun.
Is retardation 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 /ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃən/ (ree-tah-DAY-shun).