How to Pronounce “cohesion”

American (US)

/koʊˈhi.ʒən/

British (UK)

/kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/

Australian (AU)

/kəʉˈhiː.ʒən/

noun — The quality of forming a united, well-connected whole.

Example: The essay has good arguments but little cohesion.

Synonyms: unity, coherence

Where the stress falls. “cohesion” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /koʊˈhi.ʒən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /koʊˈhi.ʒən/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "cohesion" mean?

cohesion (noun): The quality of forming a united, well-connected whole. For example — The essay has good arguments but little cohesion.

How do you pronounce "cohesion" in American vs British English?

American English: /koʊˈhi.ʒən/. British English: /kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "cohesion"?

/koʊˈhi.ʒən/ in American English, /kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/ in British English, /kəʉˈhiː.ʒən/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "cohesion"?

“cohesion” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /koʊˈhi.ʒən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.