How to Pronounce “firewall”

American (US)

/ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/

British (UK)

/ˈfaɪə.wɔəl/

noun — A system that filters network traffic to block unauthorised access.

Example: The firewall blocked the outbound connection.

Where the stress falls. “firewall” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/ 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. /ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/ 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 "firewall" mean?

firewall (noun): A system that filters network traffic to block unauthorised access. For example — The firewall blocked the outbound connection.

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

American English: /ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/. British English: /ˈfaɪə.wɔəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "firewall"?

/ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/ in American English, /ˈfaɪə.wɔəl/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "firewall"?

“firewall” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈfaɪ(ə)ɹˌwɔl/ 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.