How to Pronounce “demarcation”

American (US)

/ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/

British (UK)

/ˌdɛm.ɑːˈkeɪ.ʃən/

Australian (AU)

/ˌdiː.maːˈkæɪ.ʃən/

noun — The act of marking off a boundary or setting a limit, notably by belligerents signing a treaty or ceasefire.

Where the stress falls. “demarcation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/ 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 "demarcation" mean?

demarcation (noun): The act of marking off a boundary or setting a limit, notably by belligerents signing a treaty or ceasefire.

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

American English: /ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/. British English: /ˌdɛm.ɑːˈkeɪ.ʃən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "demarcation"?

/ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in American English, /ˌdɛm.ɑːˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in British English, /ˌdiː.maːˈkæɪ.ʃən/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "demarcation"?

“demarcation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdɛm.ɑɹˈkeɪ.ʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.