articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌti-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: a joint or juncture between bones or cartilages in the skeleton of a vertebrate

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of an animal

2

a

: the action or manner of jointing or interrelating

the articulation of the limbs

b

: the state of being jointed or interrelated

3

a

: the act of giving utterance or expression

b

: the act or manner of articulating sounds

c

: an articulated utterance or sound

specifically : consonant

4

: occlusion sense 1b

Synonyms

• expression
• formulation
• phrasing
• statement
• utterance
• verbalism
• voice
• wording

Examples of articulation in a Sentence

The book is the articulation of his vision.

her boyfriend's articulation of his feelings for her was very touching

Recent Examples on the Web

In it, Jones, with his customary frankness and high articulation, addressed his career in relation to, and revolt against, the path Ailey cut for Black dancers. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 2 May 2025

Its skull also showed reduced articulations between key bones and a shallow quadrate angle, both of which are associated with piscivory. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The front facade will be a full story taller than its neighbors, and while the materials and windows try to mimic the patterns and rhythms of its older neighbors, the design falls flat in its girth and articulation. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

Speech therapy: Speech therapy can help people with mild autism who have challenges with language comprehension, articulation, or pragmatic skills. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English articulacioun, borrowed from Latin articulātiōn-, articulātiō "jointed structure, division into joints," from articulāre "to divide into distinct parts" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at articulate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for articulation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the making of articulate sounds (as in pronunciation)

2

: a joint between rigid parts of an animal

especially : one between bones or cartilages

Medical Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or manner in which the parts come together at a joint

a sketch showing the articulation of the limbs

2

a

: a joint between bones or cartilages in the vertebrate skeleton that is immovable when the bones are directly united, slightly movable when they are united by an intervening substance, or more or less freely movable when the articular surfaces are covered with smooth cartilage and surrounded by a joint capsule see amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis, synarthrosis

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of any animal (as between the segments of an insect appendage)

3

a

: the act or manner of articulating

b

: an articulated utterance or sound

4

a(1)

: the act of properly arranging artificial teeth

(2)

: an arrangement of artificial teeth

b

: occlusion sense 2a