How to Pronounce “pneumothorax”

American (US)

/ˌnuːmoʊˈθɔːræks/

British (UK)

/ˌnjuːməʊˈθɔːræks/

noun — Presence of air inside the pleural cavity, usually caused by injury either to the lung or the chest wall.

The p is silent. Like other Greek pn- borrowings, “pneumothorax” drops the p in English and begins on /n/.

Where the stress falls. “pneumothorax” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌnuːmoʊˈθɔːræks/ 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.

What does "pneumothorax" mean?

pneumothorax (noun): Presence of air inside the pleural cavity, usually caused by injury either to the lung or the chest wall.

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

American English: /ˌnuːmoʊˈθɔːræks/. British English: /ˌnjuːməʊˈθɔːræks/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "pneumothorax"?

/ˌnuːmoʊˈθɔːræks/ in American English, /ˌnjuːməʊˈθɔːræks/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "pneumothorax"?

“pneumothorax” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌnuːmoʊˈθɔːræks/ 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.