How to pronounce Rochester
Say it like ROCH-es-ter. Rochester has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROCH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Rochester. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROCH
- es
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rochester pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROCHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- esGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of Rochester
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ROCH-ih-stuh.
What does Rochester mean?
- a city in western New York; a center of the photographic equipment industry
- a town in southeast Minnesota
Questions about saying Rochester
How do you pronounce Rochester?
Say ROCH-es-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɑˌtʃɛstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈrɒtʃɪstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Rochester?
Rochester has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROCH). Broken into parts: ROCH · es · ter.
Is Rochester 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 /ˈrɒtʃɪstə/ (ROCH-ih-stuh).