formant

noun

for·​mant ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce formant (audio)
-ˌmant
: a characteristic component of the quality of a speech sound
specifically : any of several resonance bands held to determine the phonetic quality of a vowel

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web So that means that when the pitch of the recording is shifted, the formants remain unaffected. Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, 15 May 2018 The first two formants, F1 and F2, are instrumental in being able to tell the different vowels apart. Fidel Martinez, latimes.com, 16 May 2018 In the old playoff formant, the No. 7 seed would have been the Calgary Flames, who trail the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 in their first round series. Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of formant was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near formant

Cite this Entry

“Formant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formant. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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