How to pronounce steeplechase
Say it like STEE-pul-chays. Steeplechase has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce steeplechase. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STEE
- pul
- chays
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Steeplechase pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- pulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- chaysGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of steeplechase
American and British speakers say steeplechase in essentially the same way: /ˈstipəlˌtʃeɪs/ in the US and /ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: STEE-pul-chays.
What does steeplechase mean?
- A horse race, either across open country, or over an obstacle course.
- An athletics event in which the runners have to run 3000 metres round a track, jumping hurdles and a water obstacle along the way.
- To take part in a steeplechase event.
Where does steeplechase come from?
Compound of steeple + chase, from horse races in 18th century Ireland in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple.
Questions about saying steeplechase
How do you pronounce steeplechase?
Say STEE-pul-chays. The American pronunciation is /ˈstipəlˌtʃeɪs/. In British English it is /ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in steeplechase?
Steeplechase has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STEE). Broken into parts: STEE · pul · chays.
Do Americans and Brits say steeplechase the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstipəlˌtʃeɪs/ and the British form is /ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.