How to Pronounce “leukocyte”

American (US)

/ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/

British (UK)

/ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/

noun — Any of a class of blood cells that play various roles in cell-mediated immunity.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “leukocyte” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “leukocyte” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ 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. /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ 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 "leukocyte" mean?

leukocyte (noun): Any of a class of blood cells that play various roles in cell-mediated immunity.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "leukocyte", /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/, 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 "leukocyte"?

/ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ in American English, /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "leukocyte"?

“leukocyte” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˈluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪt/ 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.