How to pronounce sternocleidomastoid

Q: How do you pronounce sternocleidomastoid?

Say stur-nuh-kly-duh-MAS-toyd. The American pronunciation is /ˌstɝnəˌklaɪdəˈmæˌstɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˌstɜːnəʊˌklaɪdəʊˈmæstɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

Say it like stur-nuh-kly-duh-MAS-toyd. Sternocleidomastoid has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (MAS).

VoiceSpeed

Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sternocleidomastoid. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.

US American/ˌstɝnəˌklaɪdəˈmæˌstɔɪd/stur-nuh-kly-duh-MAS-toyd

UK British/ˌstɜːnəʊˌklaɪdəʊˈmæstɔɪd/stur-noh-kly-doh-MAS-toyd

stur
nuh
kly
duh
MAS
toyd

Main stress
Lighter stress
Unstressed

Sternocleidomastoid pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

sturGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
klyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
MASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
toydGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.

American vs British pronunciation of sternocleidomastoid

Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.

British respelling: stur-noh-kly-doh-MAS-toyd.

What does sternocleidomastoid mean?

adjective

Relating to or involving the sternum, the clavicle and the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
Of or pertaining to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Questions about saying sternocleidomastoid

How do you pronounce sternocleidomastoid?

Say stur-nuh-kly-duh-MAS-toyd. The American pronunciation is /ˌstɝnəˌklaɪdəˈmæˌstɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˌstɜːnəʊˌklaɪdəʊˈmæstɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in sternocleidomastoid?

Sternocleidomastoid has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (MAS). Broken into parts: stur · nuh · kly · duh · MAS · toyd.

Is sternocleidomastoid 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 /ˌstɜːnəʊˌklaɪdəʊˈmæstɔɪd/ (stur-noh-kly-doh-MAS-toyd).