phonology
noun
pho·nol·o·gy
fə-ˈnä-lə-jē 
fō-
1
: the science of speech sounds including especially the history and theory of sound changes in a language or in two or more related languages
phonological
ˌfō-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl
adjective
also ˌfä-
or less commonly phonologic
ˌfō-nə-ˈlä-jik
also ˌfä-
Examples of phonology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An expert in music and mathematics and an authority on English phonology, he had been contacted by the editor James Murray to assist with compiling what would become the Oxford English Dictionary.
—
Malcolm Forbes, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2023
The calls and songs of some species in these groups appear to have even more in common with human language, such as conveying information intentionally and using simple forms of some of the elements of human language such as phonology, semantics and syntax.
—Betsy Mason, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2022
Baker-Bell says Black language is a legitimate language with syntax, grammatical features, phonology and semantics.
—USA Today, 17 June 2021
Lian-Hee Wee, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University who studies Cantonese phonology, is slightly more optimistic in Hong Kong’s case.
—Mary Hui, Quartz, 3 July 2020
The authors then tried to predict the tabooness of each word based on 23 variables, which included both semantics (meaning) and phonology (word length and sound).
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2020
What — beyond a better understanding of the social and economic consequences of English phonology — does Eliza Doolittle actually get from Henry Higgins?
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 30 Apr. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Malcolm Forbes, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2023
The calls and songs of some species in these groups appear to have even more in common with human language, such as conveying information intentionally and using simple forms of some of the elements of human language such as phonology, semantics and syntax.
—Betsy Mason, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2022
Baker-Bell says Black language is a legitimate language with syntax, grammatical features, phonology and semantics.
—USA Today, 17 June 2021
Lian-Hee Wee, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University who studies Cantonese phonology, is slightly more optimistic in Hong Kong’s case.
—Mary Hui, Quartz, 3 July 2020
The authors then tried to predict the tabooness of each word based on 23 variables, which included both semantics (meaning) and phonology (word length and sound).
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2020
What — beyond a better understanding of the social and economic consequences of English phonology — does Eliza Doolittle actually get from Henry Higgins?
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 30 Apr. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Phonology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonology. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phonology
noun
pho·nol·o·gy
fə-ˈnäl-ə-jē, fō-
plural phonologies
1
: the science of speech sounds including especially the history and theory of sound changes in a language or in two or more related languages
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share