Syllable: meaning, definitions and examples

linguistics unit

A syllable is a fundamental unit of speech that consists of a vowel sound, alone or accompanied by one or more consonant sounds. It is often considered the building block of words, as words are composed of one or more syllables. The syllable typically contains a nucleus, which is usually a vowel, and may also have an onset (the initial consonant sounds) and a coda (the ending consonant sounds). Understanding syllables is essential for the study of phonetics and phonology, as they play a critical role in the rhythm and structure of spoken language.

beat, pulse, segment

Examples of usage

• The word 'banana' has three syllables.

• Each syllable in 'watermelon' can be pronounced separately.

• In English poetry, the meter is often determined by the arrangement of syllables.