How to Pronounce “laboratory”

American (US)

/ˈlæbrətɔːri/

British (UK)

/ləˈbɒrətri/

noun — A room or building equipped for scientific work.

Example: The samples went to an outside laboratory.

Synonyms: lab

Where the stress falls. “laboratory” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlæbrətɔːri/ 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. /ˈlæbrətɔːri/ 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 "laboratory" mean?

laboratory (noun): A room or building equipped for scientific work. For example — The samples went to an outside laboratory.

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

American English: /ˈlæbrətɔːri/. British English: /ləˈbɒrətri/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "laboratory"?

/ˈlæbrətɔːri/ in American English, /ləˈbɒrətri/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "laboratory"?

“laboratory” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlæbrətɔːri/ 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.

• -ary and -ory endings