4 syllables: ag, gre, ga, tion. Stress on ga.
ag-ruh-GAY-shuhn
/ˌæɡɹəˈɡeɪʃən/
aggregation is pronounced ag-ruh-GAY-shuhn (/ˌæɡɹəˈɡeɪʃən/). It has four syllables (ag-gre-ga-tion), with the stress on "ga". Aggregation refers to the process or result of combining multiple items, values, or units into a single whole. It often denotes a collective sum or total gathered from individual parts, and is frequently used in mathematics, data analysis, and statistics. The term can also describe a group formed by aggregating separate elements into one entity.
Aggregation refers to the process or result of combining multiple items, values, or units into a single whole. It often denotes a collective sum or total gathered from individual parts, and is frequently used in mathematics, data analysis, and statistics. The term can also describe a group formed by aggregating separate elements into one entity.
- Misplacing primary stress on the second syllable (a-GRĪ-ja-shən) instead of on the third syllable (ag-ri-GAY-shən). When this happens, the word sounds awkward and unnatural; aim to lift the /eɪ/ syllable and keep the others light. - Holding the final syllable too long; many speakers say ‘-tion’ as ‘-shun’ with too much 'n' sound. It should be a quick, schwa-ended /ən/ or /ən/ depending on pace. - Over-articulating the middle /ri/ sequence; you might pronounce “grih-gay” as two separate bits. Keep /ɡri/ as a fluent cluster leading into /ˈeɪ/. Practice flowing from the first syllable into the main diphthong without pausing.
"The aggregation of data from multiple sensors revealed a clear temperature trend."
"Economic analysts looked at the aggregation of consumer spending across regions."
"The software performs data aggregation to produce a summarized report."
You pronounce it as /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ in US and UK English and /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ in Australian English. The primary stress is on the third syllable, 'ga', with secondary stress on the first syllable 'ag-'. The middle 'eɪ' forms a long A before the 'ʃən' ending. Start with a light 'a' in 'cat', then a quick 'g' + 'ri' cluster, followed by 'gay' and ending with a soft 'shən'. Listen for the subtle reduction of the final syllable to a schwa.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting main stress on the second syllable); mispronouncing the 'g' after 'ri' as a hard 'g' in all contexts (should be /ˈɡeɪ/ rather than /ˈɡeɪɡ/); and flattening the final syllable into a clear ‘on’ or ‘own’ sound instead of a reduced schwa. Correction tips: emphasize /ˈɡeɪ/ as a single syllable, keep the /ʃən/ cluster compact with a muted final 'n', and ensure the initial /æ/ is short. Practicing the sequence aɡri- with a light touch on the /ɡ/ helps maintain the correct rhythm.
In US/UK English you’ll hear /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ with rhoticity affecting the preceding /ɹ/ in connected speech; Australians maintain the same IPA but often show stronger diphthongization of /eɪ/. Vowel quality differences may include a slightly longer /æ/ in American pronunciation and a vowels shift toward lighter vowels in UK English; in Australian English, you may notice a broader, flatter /æ/ and more vowel merging in rapid speech. Overall, core syllable structure remains the same, but vowel duration and quality vary slightly.
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable structure with a secondary stress on the first syllable and a prominent /ˈɡeɪ/ diphthong in the third syllable, followed by a cluster /ʃən/. The 'gr' blending into /ɡri/ can tempt readers to misplace the /ɡ/ or insert extra vowels. The final -tion reduces to a soft schwa, which native speakers sometimes over-articulate. Practice breaking the word into syllables and emphasizing the /ˈɡeɪ/ vowel cluster while keeping the /ʃən/ light.
Aggregation challenges include keeping the 'ag' /æɡ/ crisp while not overemphasizing it and ensuring the /ri/ sequence remains quick and not as a separate syllable; the /ˈɡeɪ/ must remain a single, clear diphthong, and the final /ʃən/ should be a light, almost unstressed ending. Remember that English often reduces unstressed vowels; you should deliver a fast, light /ən/ or /n/ after /ʃ/ depending on pace. IPA cues: /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/.
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- US: Rhoticity is present; the /ɹ/ is pronounced clearly before the vowel cluster; keep /æ/ short and crisp. - UK: Slightly non-rhotic in careful speech; ensure the /ɹ/ is softer or omitted before the vowel in some contexts; maintain the /eɪ/ diphthong with a smooth glide. - AU: Similar to UK with a broader vowel system; you may hear a slightly more centralized /æ/ and a longer /eɪ/ diphthong; keep the /ʃən/ ending light. IPA references: /ˌæɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/.
Aggregation comes from the late Latin aggregatio, from the verb augere ‘to increase’ and the prefix ad- ‘toward’ or ‘into.’ The root word agger- or gregar- is tied to gathering and assembling, reflecting the sense of bringing things together. The term surfaced in English in the 15th century with a general sense of collecting or piling together. Over time, aggregation acquired technical nuance in mathematics and statistics to describe the combinational process of summing, averaging, or otherwise compiling discrete data into a single representative value. In data science and information technology, aggregation broadened to include any operation that compiles multiple inputs into a singular output, such as aggregating metrics, records, or signals. The historical development mirrors the evolution of data-driven decision making: from manual tallying to automated summarization, making aggregation a fundamental operation in analytics, database queries, and reporting. The concept remains central as systems handle ever-larger datasets, requiring efficient, scalable aggregation methods to produce meaningful summaries and insights.
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Words that rhyme with "aggregation"
-ion sounds
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