4 syllables: con, den, sa, tion. Stress on sa.
/ˌkɑndəˈnseɪʃən/
condensation is pronounced /ˌkɑndəˈnseɪʃən/. It has four syllables (con-den-sa-tion), with the stress on "sa". Condensation is the process by which a gas becomes a liquid, typically due to cooling or compression. It can also refer to the state resulting from this process, or to a summary or brief version of larger information. In science, it describes the formation of droplets on surfaces or in the air as vapor loses enough energy to coalesce into liquid droplets.
Say it backCondensation is the process by which a gas becomes a liquid, typically due to cooling or compression. It can also refer to the state resulting from this process, or to a summary or brief version of larger information. In science, it describes the formation of droplets on surfaces or in the air as vapor loses enough energy to coalesce into liquid droplets.
"The dew on the grass is a result of condensation overnight."
"In HVAC systems, condensation can indicate cooling efficiency issues."
"Water vapor condenses into liquid droplets on the cold surface."
Pronounce it as /ˌkɒndənˈseɪʃən/. The first syllable is unstressed /ˌɒn/ with a short o, the second syllable /dən/ is unstressed, and the stress falls on the fourth syllable /ˈseɪ/. The ending /ʃən/ sounds like “shən.” Tip: soften the initial cluster 'cond' to /kɒn/ and move weight to the /ˈseɪ/ syllable. Audio reference: listen to standard pronunciations in Cambridge or Forvo.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (putting primary stress on the first or second syllable instead of /ˈseɪ/), reducing the /ɒn/ to a schwa too early (making it /kəndənˈseɪʃən/), and mispronouncing the ending as /ən/ instead of /ʃən/. Correct by clearly emphasizing /seɪ/ and ensuring the final /ʃən/ is crisp, with the /ʃ/ being a soft, palatal sound.
In US/UK/AU, the main difference is vowel quality in the stressed /seɪ/ syllable: US often has a plate-like /seɪ/ with a slightly longer diphthong; UK tends to a clipped /seɪ/ with less rhotic influence, while AU can show more centralized vowels and a slightly broader /ɪ/ in unstressed syllables. Final /ʃən/ remains similar, but rhoticity affects earlier vowels subtly (e.g., /ˌkɒndənˈseɪʃən/ vs /ˌkɒndənˈsɜːʃən/ in some dialects). IPA references: US /ˌkɒndənˈseɪʃən/, UK /ˌkɒndənˈseɪʃən/, AU /ˌkɒndənˈseɪʃən/.
It’s the multi-syllabic word with several unstressed vowels and a prominent /seɪ/ stressed syllable. The challenge lies in maintaining crisp /d/ in the cluster /nd/ after /k/, keeping the /ən/ schwa short but clear, and producing the /ʃən/ ending without adding extra vowels. Also, the contrast between /ˌkɒn/ and /ˈseɪ/ can tempt over-emphasis on earlier syllables.”,
Is the middle 'den' syllable sometimes pronounced as '/dən/ or '/dən/ with a stronger /d/? You’ll typically hear /kɒn.dənˈseɪ.ʃən/ with /d/ clearly released in /dən/, though in rapid speech it’s often reduced to a lighter /dən/; focus on a firm /d/ release before the stressed /seɪ/.
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Condensation comes from Latin condensare, from con- (together) + densare (to make dense), from densus (dense). The English noun condensation appears in the 17th century, initially in scientific contexts describing the process of turning vapor into liquid, later broadening to mean a concise summary or compilation (as in condensation of ideas). The root dens- meaning “to make dense” appears in related words like dense, condensation, and condensate. Over time, the term established itself in physics, chemistry, meteorology, and everyday language to denote both the physical phase transition and the act of compressing or shortening material. The distinction between the thermodynamic process and the metaphorical shortening exists in modern usage, with field-specific senses in science and editorial contexts, and a general sense reflecting aggregation or compression of information.
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Help others use "condensation" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "condensation" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "condensation" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "condensation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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