How to Pronounce “constrain”

American (US)

/kənˈstɹeɪn/

British (UK)

/kənˈstɹeɪn/

verb — To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

Where the stress falls. “constrain” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈstɹeɪn/ 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. /kənˈstɹeɪn/ 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 "constrain" mean?

constrain (verb): To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "constrain", /kənˈstɹeɪn/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "constrain"?

/kənˈstɹeɪn/ in American English, /kənˈstɹeɪn/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "constrain"?

“constrain” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈstɹeɪn/ 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.