sibilant

sib·i·lant | \ ˈsi-bə-lənt

Definition of sibilant

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash a sibilant affricate a sibilant snake

sibilant

noun

Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sibilant speech sound (such as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=tsh)\, or \j(=dzh)\)

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Examples of sibilant in a Sentence

Adjective the sibilant hiss of a snake

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Mandarin Chinese, for example, is packed with sibilant and strident sounds like English, where air is pushed with more force through the mucus membranes. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Does Speaking English Spread Coronavirus Quicker?," 11 June 2020 The five-minute piece, written by Jason Eckardt, consists of cries, truncated syllables and sharp sibilant sounds that appear to resemble someone angrily shushing herself. — New York Times, "After Trauma, a Silenced Vocalist Sings Again," 21 Nov. 2019 Here Comes the Sun’ (RCA/Victor, 1971) A stark, sibilant cover with abundant harp and tape hiss, Nina Simone’s take on the Beatles was a mainstay of early mornings (and afternoons) at Loft parties. — Aaron Gonsher, New York Times, "Love Saves the Day Turns 50: Hear 12 of the Loft’s Essential Songs," 13 Feb. 2020 Descriptions of the trend pioneered by the siblings were sibilant: soccer-style, sidewinder, sidesaddle. — Michael Farber, SI.com, "Mark Moseley, Last of the Straight-On Kickers," 2 July 2018 But Jones has just bumped through a remarkable house set, the room is as crowded as it's been all weekend and the German minimal techno DJ Michael Mayer is opening his set with a sibilant cluster of synths and dots of midrange melody. — Randall Roberts, latimes.com, "Coachella by the hour: Weekend highlights from Vince Staples, Kali Uchis, Moodymann, Oh Sees and, oh yeah, Beyoncé," 23 Apr. 2018 When a semi-celebrity graduate of their program is mentioned, the girls hiss her name in sibilant wonder and envy. — New York Times, "Review: ‘Dance Nation,’ the Power and the Terror of Girls at 13," 8 May 2018

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

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Cite this Entry

“Sibilant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sibilant. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for sibilant

sibilant

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sibilant

(Entry 1 of 2)

formal : making or having a sound like the letters s or sh

sibilant

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

technical : a sibilant sound (such as \s\ or \z\)

See the full definition for sibilant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sibilant

adjective

sib·i·lant | \ ˈsib-ə-lənt

Medical Definition of sibilant

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or sh in sash a sibilant speech sound sibilant breathing sibilant rales

sibilant

noun

Medical Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sibilant speech sound (as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=t + sh)\, or \j(=d + zh)\)

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