2 syllables: co, don. Stress on co.
KOH-duhn
/ˈkoʊ.dən/
codon is pronounced KOH-duhn (/ˈkoʊ.dən/). It has two syllables (co-don), with the stress on "co". codon is a unit of genetic code consisting of a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. In biology discussions, it denotes the basic reading frame for translating genetic information. It is pronounced with a short, crisp vowel and a hard 'd' ending, emphasizing the second syllable. The term is technical and used primarily in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics contexts.
codon is a unit of genetic code consisting of a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. In biology discussions, it denotes the basic reading frame for translating genetic information. It is pronounced with a short, crisp vowel and a hard 'd' ending, emphasizing the second syllable. The term is technical and used primarily in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics contexts.
"The researchers identified a codon triplet that signals the start of translation."
"Mutations in a single codon can alter the amino acid incorporated into a protein."
"The genetic code uses codons to specify all 20 amino acids."
Pronounce it as two syllables: CO-don. In US English: /ˈkoʊ.dɒn/; in UK/UE: /ˈkəʊ.dɒn/. Start with a stressed long 'o' as in 'coat,' then a short /ɒ/ like 'cot', and end with a clear /n/. Make sure the mouth closes quickly at the /d/ onset. Listen to scientific diction recordings to hear the steady two-beat rhythm.
Common mistakes: flattening the first vowel to a short /ɒ/ or /ɑː/; replacing /oʊ/ with a lax /o/; or inserting an extra vowel between syllables. Correction: hold the first vowel as a clear long /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK) with proper lip rounding, then release into a crisp /d/, followed by /ɒn/. Practice by saying /ˈkoʊ.dɒn/ slowly, then speed up while keeping the two distinct syllables.
US often uses /ˈkoʊ.dɒn/ with a stronger diphthong on /koʊ/ and clear /ɒ/ in /dɒn/. UK/Global varieties may reduce the first diphthong slightly to /kəʊ/ and retain /ɒ/ for the second syllable; rhoticity is less influential here because the word ends in a consonant. Australian often aligns with UK pronunciation but may carry subtle vowel sharpening. Overall, the main difference is the realization of /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/ and the quality of /ɒ/.
Difficulties stem from the fleeting diphthong in the first syllable and the short, clipped final syllable. The contrast between /oʊ/ (or /əʊ/) and /ɒ/ can trip speakers, especially when not familiar with American or British scientific terminology. In connected speech, the /d/ can blur with the preceding vowel, so you must maintain a crisp boundary: /ˈkoʊ.dɒn/ or /ˈkəʊ.dɒn/. Practice with careful mouth positioning and slow pronunciation before speed.
A codon often appears in formal genetic discussions where precision matters. The nuance is ensuring sonority on /d/ and keeping the stress on the first syllable. This contrasts with some rapid academic talk where the second syllable may be devoiced slightly. Emphasize the syllable boundary and maintain clear /d/ release: /ˈkoʊ.dɒn/ for US, with /ˈkəʊ.dɒn/ in UK.
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The term codon originates from genetics, combining 'code' and the Greek suffix -on, used to form names of molecular units. Its coinage reflects the idea of a “coded unit” in nucleic acids. The word appears in the mid-1960s as the genetic code began to be deciphered. Early researchers described three-nucleotide words in DNA and RNA that specify amino acids; the concept matured as the standard genetic code was established and universal across organisms. The first known usage is tied to the discovery era of the 1960s when scientists identified codons as the basic reading units for translating genetic information into proteins. The etymology thus highlights both the coding function and the triplet structure central to molecular biology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "codon" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "codon"
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