Definition of phoneme
: any of the abstract units of the phonetic system of a language that correspond to a set of similar speech sounds (such as the velar \k\ of cool and the palatal \k\ of keel) which are perceived to be a single distinctive sound in the language
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Examples of phoneme in a Sentence
The sounds represented by “c” and “b” are different phonemes, as in the words “cat” and “bat.”
Recent Examples of phoneme from the Web
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Next up, game mode challenges the child to identify certain letters, phonemes and pictures — such as asking for the picture that begins with a certain letter or letter sound.
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Origin and Etymology of phoneme
French phonème, from Greek phōnēmat-, phōnēma speech sound, utterance, from phōnein to sound
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
PHONEME Defined for English Language Learners
phoneme
playDefinition of phoneme for English Language Learners
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linguistics : the smallest unit of speech that can be used to make one word different from another word
PHONEME Defined for Kids
phoneme
playDefinition of phoneme for Students
: one of the smallest units of speech that distinguish one utterance from another
Medical Dictionary
phoneme
playMedical Definition of phoneme
: a member of the set of the smallest units of speech that serve to distinguish one utterance from another in a language or dialect the \p\ of English pat and the \f\ of English fat are two different phonemes
Learn More about phoneme
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See words that rhyme with phoneme Spanish Central: Translation of phoneme Nglish: Translation of phoneme for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of phoneme for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phoneme
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