phonemic
adjective
pho·ne·mic
fə-ˈnē-mik 
fō-
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phoneme
2
a
: constituting members of different phonemes (such as \n\ and \m\ in English)
Examples of phonemic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The district assesses students around phonics and phonemic awareness (the ability to hear individual sounds in words) and separates kids into small groups for more individualized instruction.
—
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The science of reading is a body of research that focuses on how brains learn to read, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness, along with teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
The science of reading consists of five pillars: phonemic awareness (the sounds that letters make), phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Perhaps a language could lose phonemic diversity in the same way as its speakers dwindle during the long voyage from island to island.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
In a nearby kindergarten classroom, teacher Gretchen Shimer announces another iteration of phonemic awareness, or an understanding of speech sounds.
—Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024
Advocates for the approach often emphasize phonics and phonemic awareness as instructional tools to teach children how to read.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024
Science of reading draws on a body of research that focuses on how brains learn to read, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness along with teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
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Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The science of reading is a body of research that focuses on how brains learn to read, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness, along with teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
The science of reading consists of five pillars: phonemic awareness (the sounds that letters make), phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Perhaps a language could lose phonemic diversity in the same way as its speakers dwindle during the long voyage from island to island.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
In a nearby kindergarten classroom, teacher Gretchen Shimer announces another iteration of phonemic awareness, or an understanding of speech sounds.
—Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024
Advocates for the approach often emphasize phonics and phonemic awareness as instructional tools to teach children how to read.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024
Science of reading draws on a body of research that focuses on how brains learn to read, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness along with teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
—Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Phonemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonemic. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phonemic
adjective
pho·ne·mic
fə-ˈnē-mik
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phoneme
2
: being different phonemes
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