articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌti-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: a joint or juncture between bones or cartilages in the skeleton of a vertebrate

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of an animal

2

a

: the action or manner of jointing or interrelating

the articulation of the limbs

b

: the state of being jointed or interrelated

3

a

: the act of giving utterance or expression

b

: the act or manner of articulating sounds

c

: an articulated utterance or sound

specifically : consonant

4

: occlusion sense 1b

Synonyms

• voice
• formulation
• expression

Examples of articulation in a Sentence

The book is the articulation of his vision.

her boyfriend's articulation of his feelings for her was very touching

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, his improvisatory, playful articulation of postmodernism could itself be considered an ad hoc exercise, applied in the arena of symbolic language rather than that of practical assembly. —Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025

The gimbal supports a straight down (-90-degree) to slightly up (20-degree) articulation, which is less upward tilt than the DJI Neo (60 degrees) or the Flip (35 degrees). —PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

And too often, leaders mistake articulation for impact. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

The earliest and clearest articulation of this argument came in a 1999 law review article by Scott E. Gant and Bruce G. Peabody, then a junior lawyer and a Ph.D. student, respectively. —Louis Jacobson, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English articulacioun, borrowed from Latin articulātiōn-, articulātiō "jointed structure, division into joints," from articulāre "to divide into distinct parts" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at articulate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for articulation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the making of articulate sounds (as in pronunciation)

2

: a joint between rigid parts of an animal

especially : one between bones or cartilages

Medical Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or manner in which the parts come together at a joint

a sketch showing the articulation of the limbs

2

a

: a joint between bones or cartilages in the vertebrate skeleton that is immovable when the bones are directly united, slightly movable when they are united by an intervening substance, or more or less freely movable when the articular surfaces are covered with smooth cartilage and surrounded by a joint capsule see amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis, synarthrosis

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of any animal (as between the segments of an insect appendage)

3

a

: the act or manner of articulating

b

: an articulated utterance or sound

4

a(1)

: the act of properly arranging artificial teeth

(2)

: an arrangement of artificial teeth

b

: occlusion sense 2a