How to pronounce suction
Say it like SUHK-shun. Suction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of suction
American and British speakers say suction in essentially the same way: /ˈsʌkʃən/ in the US and /ˈsʌkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHK-shun.
What does suction mean?
- A force which pushes matter from one space into another because the pressure inside the second space is lower than the pressure in the first.
- A force holding two objects together because the pressure in the space between the items is lower than the pressure outside that space.
- The process of creating an imbalance in pressure to draw matter from one place to another.
- To create an imbalance in pressure between one space and another in order to draw matter between the spaces.
- To draw out the contents of a space.
Where does suction come from?
From Latin sūctiō, sūctiōnem (whence -ion), attested since Late Latin and derived from sūctus, past participle of sūgō (“to suck”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suction.
- production
- construction
- introduction
- reduction
- destruction
- instruction
- reconstruction
- reproduction
- induction
- obstruction
Questions about saying suction
How do you pronounce suction?
Say SUHK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌkʃən/. In British English it is /ˈsʌkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suction?
Suction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHK). Broken into parts: SUHK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say suction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsʌkʃən/ and the British form is /ˈsʌkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.