4 syllables: Con, tra, cep, tion. Stress on cep.
kahn-truh-SEP-shuhn
/ˌkɑntɹəˈsɛpʃən/
Contraception is pronounced kahn-truh-SEP-shuhn (/ˌkɑntɹəˈsɛpʃən/). It has four syllables (Con-tra-cep-tion), with the stress on "cep". Contraception is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy. It refers to deliberate, regulated measures—ranging from hormonal methods to barrier devices—that reduce the likelihood of fertilization or implantation. This term encompasses medical, ethical, and social dimensions in family planning and reproductive health.
nounContraception is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy. It refers to deliberate, regulated measures—ranging from hormonal methods to barrier devices—that reduce the likelihood of fertilization or implantation. This term encompasses medical, ethical, and social dimensions in family planning and reproductive health.
How to Pronounce Contraception
"She consulted her doctor about different contraception options."
"The clinic offers contraception counseling and free supplies."
"Public health campaigns promote contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies."
You say /ˌkɒn.trəˈsep.ʃən/. The primary stress is on the third syllable (sep), with secondary stress on the first syllable (kon). The ending is an unstressed /ʃən/ (shun). Mouth position: start with a rounded /ɒ/ as in ‘cot’, then a schwa /ə/ for the second syllable, glide to /ˈsep/ with a crisp /s/ and a plosive release, and finish with /ʃən/. Audio reference: wide-range dictionaries or Pronounce provide native speaker clips to match this rhythm.
Common errors: misplacing stress (say con-TRAC-tion or con-trace-tion), or mispronouncing the vowel in the second syllable as a short /ɪ/ instead of a schwa. Correction: keep secondary stress on kon- and primary stress on sep; use /ə/ for the second syllable rather than /æ/ or /ɪ/. Another trap is softening the /t/; ensure a clear /t/ before the final /ʃən/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘con-tri-tion’ to reinforce the correct consonant cluster and syllable timing.
US/UK/AU share /ˌkɒn.trəˈsep.ʃən/ but vowel quality and rhoticity vary. US tends to rhotic pronunciation with a clearer /r/ in related words, and the /ɒ/ in ‘con-’ often closer to /ɑ/ in some regions; UK maintains non-rhoticity with a clearer /ɔ/ in the first syllable. Australian blends subtle vowel shifts toward /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ and tends to be less rhotic than US speech, but still retains /r/ coloring in a few speakers. Overall, the rhythm (secondary stress on kon) remains stable across accents.
It combines a multi-syllabic structure with a three-syllable secondary/primary-stress pattern and a consonant cluster around /ˈsep/ joined by /tʃ/ in final syllable; the /tʃ/ is easy to mispronounce as /s/ or /ʃ/. The unstressed middle syllable uses a schwa /ə/, which can be misrepresented as /ɪ/ or /ɒ/ by non-native speakers. Also, the vowels in /ɒ/ and /ə/ can shift depending on accent. Practicing the sequence kon-trə-SEP-tion helps stabilize the rhythm and reduces common substitutions.
The prefix is pronounced /kɒn-/ with a clear /n/ immediately after the /k/ and the vowel typically /ɒ/ (like ‘cot’ in British English). There isn’t a nasal assimilation to the following syllable; you keep the /n/ separate and then move to /trə/ for the second syllable. The sequence /kɒn.trə/ sets up the rhythm for the stressed /ˈsep/ in the third syllable. IPA guidance: /ˌkɒn.trəˈsep.ʃən/ and stating it aloud will anchor the correct onset of the second syllable.
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Contraception comes from the Latin contra- ‘against’ and French contraception from late Middle English, via medieval Latin contraceptio, from contra- ‘against’ + capere ‘to take, seize’ (thus the sense of ‘against conception’). The modern sense emerged in the 19th–20th centuries as medical science formalized birth control methods. Early usage referenced prevention of pregnancy, evolving with advances in reproductive health to include hormonal interventional options and barrier methods. The term reflects a shift in social discourse around sexuality, autonomy, and public health, moving from moralistic or religious stewardship to clinical and policy-oriented frameworks. First known use in English appears in medical writings of the 19th century, with broader popularization in the 20th century alongside the sexual revolution and family planning movements. Modern usage often couples contraception with discussions of effectiveness, accessibility, and rights-based approaches to reproductive health.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Contraception" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Contraception"
-ion sounds
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