How to pronounce tenure
Say it like TEN-yer. Tenure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tenure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEN
- yer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tenure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- yerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of tenure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TEN-yuh.
What does tenure mean?
- the term during which some position is held
- the right to hold property; part of an ancient hierarchical system of holding lands
- give life-time employment to“She was tenured after she published her book”
Where does tenure come from?
From Middle English tenure, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French tenure, from Vulgar Latin *tenitura, from *tenitus, from Latin tentus (from teneō) + -ura.
Questions about saying tenure
How do you pronounce tenure?
Say TEN-yer. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛnjɚ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛnjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tenure?
Tenure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN). Broken into parts: TEN · yer.
Is tenure 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 /ˈtɛnjə/ (TEN-yuh).