3 syllables: ce, sar, ean. Stress on sar.
see-ZUH-ree-uhn
/siːˈzəriən/
cesarean is pronounced see-ZUH-ree-uhn (/siːˈzəriən/). It has three syllables (ce-sar-ean), with the stress on "sar". Cesarean refers to a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. The term contrasts with vaginal birth and is commonly used in medical, obstetric, and everyday discussions about birth options. It originated from the Roman law-known phrase Caesar, connecting the method’s historical associations to ancient childbirth practices and later medical terminology. The adjective form cesarean relates to Caesar or the procedure itself.
Cesarean refers to a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. The term contrasts with vaginal birth and is commonly used in medical, obstetric, and everyday discussions about birth options. It originated from the Roman law-known phrase Caesar, connecting the method’s historical associations to ancient childbirth practices and later medical terminology. The adjective form cesarean relates to Caesar or the procedure itself.
"The expectant mother discussed the possibility of a cesarean with her obstetrician."
"During the emergency, the team performed a cesarean to ensure the baby's safety."
"She recovered quickly after her planned cesarean delivery."
US: /sɪˈzɛəriən/ (si-ZAIR-ee-ən). The primary stress is on the second syllable “zæri” as in ZAYR- sound; enunciation is soft on the first and last syllables. Tip: start with ‘si-’ as in sit, then glide into ‘zair-’ with a long a, ending with ‘-ən’ like the soft 'un' in 'button'. You can listen to authentic pronunciation on Forvo or YouGlish for speaker variety.
Two frequent errors: (1) stressing the first syllable (CE-sa-re-an) instead of the second (ce-SAR-ean), and (2) mispronouncing the middle vowel as a long ‘ee’ or ‘i’ (ce-SEE-ree-an). Correct by hearing the ‘sar’ as /ˈzɛə/ or /ˈzær/ depending on accent, and ending with a soft /ən/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘zen’-‘zar’. Listen to native speakers to calibrate the rhythm and avoid over-articulation of the ‘r’ in non-rhotic accents.
US: /sɪˈzɛəriən/ with rhotic r and a clear schwa-led ending; UK: /sɪˈzæriən/ or /sɪˈzɛəriən/ with less rhotic emphasis and a shorter middle vowel; AU: /sɪˈzæːrɪən/ or /sɪˈzɛərɪən/—variations exist but generally maintain stress on the second syllable. The key differences are vowel quality in the middle syllables and how strongly the final -e̯ən is articulated. IPA references help you compare precise vowel shifts across regions.
The word combines uncommon stress placement and a mid-vowel cluster that doesn’t align with easy English spelling rules. The second syllable contains /ˈzæɹ/ to /ˈzɛəɹ/ depending on accent, which can feel unstable if you’re not familiar with the 'zar' cluster followed by a soft, almost schwa-like ending. Also, the sequence /zɛər/ can be unfamiliar for speakers used to simpler CV patterns. Practice with deliberate mouth positioning and listen-and-repeat to stabilize the mid-vowel and r-colored ending.
Note that the middle consonant cluster includes /z/ followed by an /ə/ or /æ/ that can be reduced in fast speech; keep the /z/ strong but allow the middle vowel to reduce slightly before the final /ən/. The stress remains on the second syllable: ce-SAR-ean. Visualize the mouth moving from a relaxed start to a raised middle vowel, then a soft, quick ending. Reference native speaker audio and target the caesar-like rhythm for naturalness.
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The word cesarean comes from Latin caesareanus, later caesareocele, with the prefix caesar noted in relation to the Roman ruler Julius Caesar by medieval scholars; however, the medical term more directly derives from the Latin caedere ‘to cut’ in relation to surgical birth and caesus ‘cut’. The association with Caesar is etymological rather than historical in most cases, likely popularized by the ancient birth narratives and later 17th–19th century medical texts. The form cesarean emerged in English in the late 16th to early 17th centuries, with the modern spelling stabilizing by the 19th century as obstetric terminology standardized. The term has since expanded to general usage describing surgical birth procedures across languages, while in medical literature it also appears as Cesarean delivery or cesarean section. First known English attestations appear in medical writings referencing the procedure, sometimes linked to the ancient law in which the infant was delivered by cutting through the abdominal wall, though the historical accuracy of such cases is debated. The evolution reflects broader adoption of surgical obstetrics in Western medicine and a shift from mythic associations to precise anatomical and surgical descriptors.” ,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "cesarean" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cesarean" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "cesarean"
-ean sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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