3 syllables: con, scrip, tion. Stress on scrip.
kuhn-SKRIP-shuhn
/kənsˈkɹɪpʃən/
conscription is pronounced kuhn-SKRIP-shuhn (/kənsˈkɹɪpʃən/). It has three syllables (con-scrip-tion), with the stress on "scrip". Conscription is the mandatory enrollment of individuals into military service, typically during a national crisis or wartime. It denotes the compulsory duty imposed by law, often administered by a government draft board, and contrasts with voluntary enlistment. The term also exists in broader historical contexts as a state's obligation to raise armed forces.
Conscription is the mandatory enrollment of individuals into military service, typically during a national crisis or wartime. It denotes the compulsory duty imposed by law, often administered by a government draft board, and contrasts with voluntary enlistment. The term also exists in broader historical contexts as a state's obligation to raise armed forces.
"The country reintroduced conscription to bolster its depleted ranks."
"Debates over conscription persist in many democracies, balancing civic duty with personal freedom."
"During the war, conscription affected men and, in some nations, women who volunteered for support roles."
Pronounce as kən-SKRIP-shuhn, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: /kənˈskrɪpʃən/. Start with a soft, quick unstressed /kən/, then a sharper /ˈskrɪp/ cluster, followed by the /ʃən/ ending. Tip: make the /skr/ blend fluidly and keep the /ʃ/ soft, not rush the vowel before it.
Common errors include pronouncing the stress on the first syllable: /ˈkɒnskrɪpʃən/ and mispronouncing the /skr/ cluster as separate sounds, like /skri/ instead of a tight /skrɪp/ blend. Another frequent issue is weakening the /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Focus on a compact /skrɪp/ sequence and retain a crisp /ʃ/ before the /ən/.
US and UK share /kənˈskrɪpʃən/, but vowel quality can differ slightly: US /ˈskrɪp/ may be slightly tighter, UK may have a subtle longer /ɪ/ before /p/. Australian speakers often exhibit a flatter vowel in /ə/ and a less pronounced rhoticity in some dialects, though the core /kənˈskrɪpʃən/ remains consistent. Pay attention to /r/ realization: rhotic in US vs non-rhotic in some UK accents, though conscription commonly uses rhotic as default.
Two main challenges: the consonant cluster /skr/ right after the unstressed /kən/ can blur if you’re not precise with tongue position and air flow, and the /ʃən/ ending requires a smooth transition from a sibilant to a voiced nasality. Practice iterating /kənˈskrɪpʃən/ slowly, then speed up while keeping each segment distinct and the /ʃ/ clearly heard.
Conscription has a glo-focal stress pattern: secondary stress can appear when spoken in longer phrases, but the primary stress remains on the second syllable. The tricky feature is the /skr/ blend immediately after the unstressed /kən/; ensuring the tongue shoots forward into position for /s/ then /k/ together can prevent a stuttered or broken blend. IPA reminder: /kənˈskrɪpʃən/.
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Conscription originates from Middle French conscription, from Latin conscriptio, from conscribere meaning to enroll or write down. The root con- 'together' plus scribere 'to write' reflects the act of enrolling individuals by writing them onto a list or muster roll. The term entered English in the 16th–17th centuries, initially in legal and administrative contexts relating to compulsory service. Over time, it became specifically associated with military conscription in Europe and America. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many nation-states codified conscription laws to ensure manpower for wars and national defense. The concept evolved to encompass debates about civic obligation, state authority, and individual rights, leading to policy shifts, exemptions, and reform movements in various countries. The word has remained tied to the broader idea of compulsory service, not limited to military use; in some jurisdictions, it is invoked for civil service or emergency mobilization. Today, “conscription” often features in political discourse around national security, constitutional rights, and youth obligations, maintaining its historical weight as a mechanism of state power and public consent.
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Words that rhyme with "conscription"
-ion sounds
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