4 syllables: con, stel, la, tion. Stress on la.
kahn-stuh-LAY-shuhn
/ˌkɑnstəˈleɪʃən/
constellation is pronounced kahn-stuh-LAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑnstəˈleɪʃən/). It has four syllables (con-stel-la-tion), with the stress on "la". Constellation refers to a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the sky, often named after mythical figures or objects. The term can also denote any arranged cluster or arrangement of related things. In astronomy, it describes a recognized mapping of star groups used for navigation and storytelling, as well as a metaphor for an organized collection of related elements.
Constellation refers to a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the sky, often named after mythical figures or objects. The term can also denote any arranged cluster or arrangement of related things. In astronomy, it describes a recognized mapping of star groups used for navigation and storytelling, as well as a metaphor for an organized collection of related elements.
"During the summer, you can spot the bright Summer Triangle constellation in the northern sky."
"The museum's new exhibit covers the mythology behind several famous constellations."
"Researchers compared a constellation of satellites to a single, grand design."
Pronounce as /ˌkɒn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/ in British English and /ˌkɑːn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/ in American English; Australian commonly mirrors the UK/American blend: /ˌkɒn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/. The primary stress lands on the third syllable: con-stel-LA-tion. Start with a light, unstressed /kɒn/ or /ˈkɑːn/, then a schwa in /stə/, followed by a clear /ˈleɪ/ and a final /ʃən/. Audio reference: listen to native pronunciations on reputable dictionaries or pronunciation platforms to model the subtle vowel lengths and reduction in the first syllable.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (treating it as con-stel-ˈla-tion with wrong stress), and reducing or delays in the /leɪ/ diphthong, leading to /kənˈsteləsən/ or /ˈkɒnstəˈleɪʃən/. Another mistake is blending /st/ and /l/ too abruptly, producing a muddled /stl/ sequence. Correction tips: maintain the /stə/ as a stable unit, emphasize the /ˈleɪ/ syllable with a crisp /eɪ/, and keep the final /ʃən/ short and light. Practice with minimal pairs and slow tempo before increasing speed.
In US English, stress pattern is con-stə-ˈleɪ-ʃən with a relatively flat /ə/ in the middle; non-rhotic tendencies may soften /r/ absence elsewhere. UK English tends to a clearer /ˈkɒn.stəlˈeɪ.ʃən/ with slight vowel rounding in /ɒ/ and more pronounced /l/ in the middle. Australian English often aligns with UK patterns but features a broader vowel quality in /ɒ/ and a more even rhythm, with less vowel reduction in connected speech. Across all, the critical element is the /ˈleɪ/ syllable; the rest remains comparatively stable, though vowel colors shift by accent.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic cadence and the central /stə/ cluster followed by a strong diphthong in /leɪ/. The challenge is maintaining stress on the third syllable while not letting the /t/ blend into /l/ or /lə/ and ensuring the final /ʃən/ is crisp and short. Additionally, non-native speakers often misplace stress or mispronounce the /eɪ/ as /iː/. Focus on isolating the /stə/ block, then the prominent /leɪ/ and the soft final /ʃən/ to secure accuracy.
A unique aspect is the sequence of a light unstressed /kɒn/ or /kən/, then a mid-low /stə/ split, followed by a strong /ˈleɪ/ diphthong; the emphasis shifts to the third syllable, which can feel counterintuitive given the three-consonant cluster before it. The combination of /st/ + /lə/ + /eɪ/ requires careful tongue movement: alveolar /t/ just before /l/ without blending into a liquid cluster, and a precise /eɪ/ vowel onset for the syllable peak. This makes pacing and mouth shaping critical for accuracy.
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Constellation derives from the Latin word con stellatio, from con- ‘together’ and stellatio ‘starry’, related to stella ‘star’. The modern sense—an arrangement of stars forming patterns—emerged early in the 17th century as astronomy and star lore flourished in Europe. The word traveled from Latin through Italian and French, with English adoption by scholars describing recognized star patterns in the night sky. Its components reflect the broader Latin root stella ‘star’ and stem from Proto-Italic *stellā, linked to the Greek stellá (aster), illustrating the cross-cultural naming of star groups. The concept gained prominence as navigation and celestial cartography advanced, embedding the term in scientific and cultural contexts. First attested in English in the 17th century, constellation came to signify not only the star patterns themselves but also clusters or groups of related items, a usage that persists in modern metaphorical language as well as formal astronomical nomenclature.
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Words that rhyme with "constellation"
-ion sounds
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