How to pronounce traction
Say it like TRAK-shun. Traction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce traction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TRAK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Traction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of traction
American and British speakers say traction in essentially the same way: /ˈtrækʃən/ in the US and /ˈtrækʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: TRAK-shun.
What does traction mean?
- the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)
- (orthopedics) the act of pulling on a bone or limb (as in a fracture) to relieve pressure or align parts in a special way during healing“his leg was in traction for several days”
Where does traction come from?
From Medieval Latin tractio, from Latin tractus, perfect passive participle of verb trahere (“pull”), + noun of action suffix -io (genitive -ionis).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with traction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of traction.
- reaction
- interaction
- transaction
- satisfaction
- fraction
- faction
- dissatisfaction
- inaction
- diffraction
- infraction
Questions about saying traction
How do you pronounce traction?
Say TRAK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈtrækʃən/. In British English it is /ˈtrækʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in traction?
Traction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRAK). Broken into parts: TRAK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say traction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtrækʃən/ and the British form is /ˈtrækʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.