2 syllables: Cam, paign. Stress on paign.
kam-PAYN
/kæˈmpeɪn/
Campaign is pronounced kam-PAYN (/kæˈmpeɪn/). It has two syllables (Cam-paign), with the stress on "paign". Campaign is a noun referring to a coordinated series of actions designed to achieve a goal, typically in politics, marketing, or military contexts. It denotes organized efforts aimed at influencing outcomes or public opinion during a finite period, often supported by resources, messaging, and strategic planning. The term emphasizes purpose-driven campaigns with clear objectives and defined start and end points.
nounCampaign is a noun referring to a coordinated series of actions designed to achieve a goal, typically in politics, marketing, or military contexts. It denotes organized efforts aimed at influencing outcomes or public opinion during a finite period, often supported by resources, messaging, and strategic planning. The term emphasizes purpose-driven campaigns with clear objectives and defined start and end points.
- You might flatten /æ/ in the first syllable and rush the /peɪn/; slow down to ensure the diphthong starts with /eɪ/ rather than a monophthong /e/ or /iː/. - Avoid turning the second syllable into /ən/; keep it as /ˈpeɪn/. - Do not attach an extra syllable after n; end cleanly with /n/.
How to Pronounce Campaign
"The candidate launched a campaign to win the election."
"A successful marketing campaign boosted product awareness across Europe."
"The charity organized a fundraising campaign to support disaster relief."
Campaign is pronounced caM-PAIN with the primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA for US/UK: /kæmˈpeɪn/. Your mouth starts with a short /k/ in the back of the mouth, then /æ/ as in 'cat', followed by /m/ to close the syllable, and the stressed /ˈpeɪn/ sounds like ‘payn’ with a long diphthong /eɪ/ and final /n/. If you can, think: ‘cam’ + ‘payn’ with the emphasis on payn. Audio reference: you’ll find native examples in standard dictionaries and pronunciation videos.
Common errors include misplacing stress on the first syllable (CA-mpaign) or flattening the /eɪ/ into a short /e/; another mistake is pronouncing the second syllable as /ən/ or /ɪn/ instead of the clear /eɪn/. To fix: place strong focus on the second syllable with /ˈpeɪn/ and keep the /kæ/ onset crisp. Practice with minimal pairs like cam- and paign to reinforce the diphthong, and use a tongue position that starts with high front positions for /eɪ/.
In US, UK, and AU, /kæmˈpeɪn/ is generally similar with rhoticity not affecting the word; however, Australians may have a slightly flatter /æ/ and a tendency toward a more centralized vowel in some speakers. The /eɪ/ diphthong can glide differently: US speakers often have a higher starting point for /eɪ/ than some UK varieties, while UK English might show a marginally lighter or longer /eɪ/. Maintain the strong /p/ onset and crisp /n/ at the end across accents.
The difficulty centers on the diphthong /eɪ/ in the second syllable and the consonant cluster at the boundary between syllables. The rhythm requires a clear secondary stress pattern where the second syllable carries primary emphasis. Learners often devoice or misplace the initial /k/ and misarticulate the /m/ leading into /peɪn/. Focusing on moving smoothly from /m/ to the /peɪn/ and keeping the /p/ aspirated helps stabilize articulation.
Campaign’s key feature is the clean transition from /m/ to /p/ into the prominent /eɪ/ diphthong, with final /n/ closing the word. The initial /k/ is a voiceless velar plosive, so you want a crisp release. The second syllable’s /peɪn/ is a stressed, long diphthong that should glide from /p/ to /eɪ/ without breaking into two syllables in fluent speech.
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ is not present here; focus on a strong /æ/ and clear /eɪ/. - UK: keep the diphthong crisp and slightly longer; consider adding a touch of non-rhoticity in surrounding words. - AU: may exhibit a broader /æ/ and flatter /eɪ/; keep the lip rounding moderate and end with a firm /n/. IPA references: /kæmˈpeɪn/ (US/UK), /ˈkæmpən/ in some AU casual speech variants.
Campaign derives from the Old French word campagne, meaning ‘field’ or ‘open country,’ which itself comes from the Late Latin campania. The sense broadened in English to describe a military field of operations, then extended metaphorically to any organized effort with a strategic plan. In the 16th–17th centuries, campaign began appearing in English military contexts to denote a sequence of military actions within a broader theater. By the 19th century, the term had entered political and commercial discourse, where it described organized efforts to persuade or mobilize public support, sales, or votes. The word’s evolution mirrors its core concept: a structured, time-bound series of purposeful activities conducted toward a specific objective, often connecting messaging, resources, and operational steps.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Campaign" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Campaign" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Campaign" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Campaign"
-gne sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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