How to Pronounce “protocol”

American (US)

/ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/

British (UK)

/ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/

Australian (AU)

/ˈpɹəʉtəˌkoːl/

noun — An agreed set of rules governing how systems or people exchange information.

Example: The devices could not talk because they used different protocols.

Synonyms: standard, convention

Where the stress falls. “protocol” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ 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. /ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ 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 "protocol" mean?

protocol (noun): An agreed set of rules governing how systems or people exchange information. For example — The devices could not talk because they used different protocols.

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

American English: /ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/. British English: /ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "protocol"?

/ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ in American English, /ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/ in British English, /ˈpɹəʉtəˌkoːl/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "protocol"?

“protocol” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ 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.