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

• expression
• formulation
• phrasing
• statement
• utterance
• verbalism
• voice
• wording

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

Judith’s passion for her craft is evident in every aspect of her work, from meticulous planning to eloquent articulation of her artistic vision. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024

What is needed is a deeper level of engagement with the environment, manifesting through more direct and emphatic articulation of ecosystems in the human realm. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

The system will also have serious off-road benefits, including maximizing independent wheel travel and articulation over rough and unstable terrain. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

And in 2022, Voyager 1’s attitude articulation and control system (AACS) met with a malfunction of its own, reducing the spacecraft’s messages to meaningless nonsense, a lot like the issue that started in November. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

The problem first began in May 2022, when the probe suddenly started sending nonsensical attitude articulation and control (AACS) data. —Passant Rabie, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024

Excellent jewelry is an exercise in curation and articulation. —Erika Veurink, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024

An electro-hydraulic roll control system helps the R1 navigate tight corners—the sports car part—absorb off-road shocks and maximize wheel articulation, so as many wheels as possible can maintain contact with even the most treacherous terrain. —Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024

For the few buyers who plan to take their Wolf off-roading, the G-Wagen’s short wheelbase, solid-axle articulation, and both front and rear cable-locking differentials combine to create a capable rig. —Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024

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

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