3 syllables: con, duct, ors. Stress on duct.
kuhn-DUHK-turz
/kəˈndʌktɚz/
conductors is pronounced kuhn-DUHK-turz (/kəˈndʌktɚz/). It has three syllables (con-duct-ors), with the stress on "duct". Conductors are plural nouns or verbs referring to people or objects that conduct—whether guiding an orchestra, leading electricity flow, or initiating a process. In plural form, they denote multiple individuals or items with that function. The term emphasizes the act of directing or transmitting energy, information, or influence through something. Typically used in technical, scientific, and musical contexts.
Conductors are plural nouns or verbs referring to people or objects that conduct—whether guiding an orchestra, leading electricity flow, or initiating a process. In plural form, they denote multiple individuals or items with that function. The term emphasizes the act of directing or transmitting energy, information, or influence through something. Typically used in technical, scientific, and musical contexts.
"The conductors in the orchestra raised their batons in unison."
"Copper wires and other electrical conductors must be properly insulated."
"The team of conductors is responsible for ensuring smooth signal transmission."
Say CON-duc-tors with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US ˈkɒn.dʌk.tərz, UK ˈkɒn.dʌk.təz, AU ˈkɒn.dʌk.təz. Start with a clear 'kon' as in 'con' followed by a light 'duck' with a schwa or reduced 'tər' at the end. End with a soft z-like 'z' sound. Keep the consonants distinct: /k/, /d/, /t/, and the final /z/ if voiced.”,
Common errors: (1) Flapping the /t/ to a quick /d/ in American English, producing /ˈkɒndʌk.dərz/ instead of /ˈkɒn.dʌk.tərz/. (2) Dropping the final syllable or turning /tərz/ into /tɚz/ or /təz/. (3) Vowel vowel reduction in the first syllable, making it /kən-duk-/ instead of /ˈkɒn.dʌk-/. Correction: hold the /o/ as in ‘con’ with a short o, ensure a clear /d/ before /ər/ and pronounce the final /z/.
US: strong rhotic /r/ in the second syllable; stable /ɒ/ in the first syllable. UK: non-rhotic r, shorter /ɒ/ and lighter /t/ release; AU: similar to UK but with slightly more centralized vowels and a more clipped final /z/ may occur. IPA highlights: US ˈkɒn.dʌk.tərz, UK ˈkɒn.dʌk.təz, AU ˈkɒn.dʌk.təz. Emphasis and intonation vary with context.
It combines a stressed syllable with a consonant cluster /ndʌk/ and a post-toral /t/ before a voiced alveolar /ər/ or /ə/. The sequence /n.d/ and /kt/ can blur in rapid speech, and the final /-z/ can become a voiced or devoiced variation. Practicing with minimal pairs helps: /kɒn.dʌk.tərz/ vs /kən.də.kə.z/. Focusing on the precise place of articulation and a crisp /t/ before /ər/ clarifies the word.
Is the /t/ in the middle syllable released as a separate sound or fused with the following /ər/? In careful speech, you’ll hear a distinct /t/ before the unstressed /ər/ (kɒn.dʌk.tərz). In fast speech, you may get a softer /tər/ or /tə/ sequence. Focus on keeping /t/ audible to avoid ambiguity with /d/ sounds.
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The word conductors comes from Medieval Latin conductōr, from Latin conducere meaning to lead, bring together, or contribute. The root con- (“together”) + ducere (“to lead”). Early English usage in the 16th century referred to agents who bring about or lead something, especially in mathematical or physical contexts. By the 18th and 19th centuries, conductor had specialized senses in electricity (a material that conducts) and in music (a person who directs an ensemble). The plural form conductors appears in the same sense, indicating multiple agents or objects with the ability to conduct. The metaphorical extension to ‘leaders’ or ‘directors’ has persisted across domains, including engineering, physics, and performing arts, reflecting the core sense of directing flow or transmission. First known uses can be traced to academic and scientific writings in late Renaissance to early modern periods, where mathematical and physical terms borrowed such agentive nouns. Over time, it broadened to everyday language for people who guide or manage processes that carry something forward, whether energy, information, or art. Historically, the term has remained pluralizable without changing its core meaning, maintaining a consistent association with directing or enabling transmission from one point to another.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "conductors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "conductors" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "conductors"
-ors sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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