How to Pronounce “column”

American (US)

/ˈkɑːləm/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒləm/

noun — An upright pillar, a vertical division of a page or table, or a regular newspaper feature.

Example: Sort the table by the third column.

The final n is silent. An n after m at the end of a word is silent. “column” ends on /m/ — though the n comes back when a suffix is added, as in the related longer forms of the word.

Where the stress falls. “column” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑːləm/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkɑːləm/ 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 "column" mean?

column (noun): An upright pillar, a vertical division of a page or table, or a regular newspaper feature. For example — Sort the table by the third column.

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

American English: /ˈkɑːləm/. British English: /ˈkɒləm/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "column"?

/ˈkɑːləm/ in American English, /ˈkɒləm/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "column"?

“column” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑːləm/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

• Silent N words