How to Pronounce “government”

American (US)

/ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/

British (UK)

/ˈɡʌv.ə.mənt/

noun — The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.

Example: British government has historically centred exclusively on London.

Where the stress falls. “government” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/ 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. /ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/ 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 "government" mean?

government (noun): The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization. For example — British government has historically centred exclusively on London.

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

American English: /ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/. British English: /ˈɡʌv.ə.mənt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "government"?

/ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/ in American English, /ˈɡʌv.ə.mənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "government"?

“government” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/ 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.

• IELTS pronunciation words