SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

phonetic alphabet

noun

Definition of phonetic alphabet

1 : a set of symbols (such as the IPA) used for phonetic transcription

2 : any of various systems of identifying letters of the alphabet by means of code words in voice communication

Recent Examples of phonetic alphabet from the Web

Storms were originally identified through a phonetic alphabet, like Adam, Baker, Charlie, and the same names were used for each hurricane season.

— cydney henderson, USA TODAY, "How do hurricanes get their names?," 7 Oct. 2017

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

First Known Use of phonetic alphabet

1848

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about phonetic alphabet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phonetic alphabet

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up phonetic alphabet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

play

to treat with excessive attention

BROWSE DICTIONARY

phonetic

phonetical

phonetic alphabet

phonetic change

phonetician

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game