4 syllables: da, ta, ba, ses. Stress on da.
/ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪzɪz/
Say it backDatabases are organized collections of structured data, stored electronically and accessible for querying, analysis, and management. They support data storage, retrieval, and manipulation across applications, with schemas that define data formats and relationships. In computing, databases are essential for handling large volumes of information efficiently and securely.
"The company maintains several databases to manage inventory, customers, and orders."
"Researchers query multiple databases to compile comprehensive datasets for analysis."
"We migrated our data to a cloud-based database to improve scalability and reliability."
Pronounce it as /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/ in US and UK; US also accepts /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsəz/ in casual speech. The primary stress is on the first syllable: DA-ta-bases, with a secondary stress on the second syllable. Mouth positions: start with a mid-open front vowel in /ˈdeɪ/ as in ‘day’, then /tə/ with a schwa-like reduction, then /ˈbeɪ/ as in ‘bay’, and end with /sɪz/ or /səz/ depending on speed. Audio reference: you can compare with ‘data’ (ˈdeɪtə) + ‘bases’ (ˈbeɪsɪz).
Common errors: flattening the second syllable so it becomes /ˈdætaˌbeɪsɪz/ (wrong vowel in first) and oversimplifying final syllables to /-səs/ instead of /-sɪz/; another pitfall is misplacing the secondary stress on ‘base’. Correction: keep /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/ with clear /ˌbeɪ/ and end with /-zɪz/ in careful speech, or /-zəz/ in rapid speech. Practice by isolating ‘data’ and ‘bases’ and then blending with a slight pause between parts.
US/UK share /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/; the main variation is the final syllable: US /-zɪz/ vs UK /-zɪz/ in most regions, though some UK speakers reduce to /-zəz/ in faster speech. Rhotic influence appears in rhotic accents where /r/ is not present in spelling but does influence preceding vowels in rapid speech. Australian English follows similar patterns to UK with non-rhotic tendencies, slightly broader vowels in /eɪ/ sequences. Overall, the rhythm remains DA-ta-BASES with strong first-syllable stress.
The difficulty lies in the two consecutive 'a' vowel sequences /ˈdeɪtə/ and /ˈbeɪsɪz/, which require precise vowel quality and a clear separation between the two syllables in rapid speech. The cluster /ˌbeɪs/ can slip to /beɪs/ quickly, and the final /ɪz/ vs /əz/ distinction matters in careful speech.Balancing the secondary stress (on beɪ) with the primary stress (on deɪ) demands controlled tempo and precise tongue positioning.
A distinctive nuance is the subtle reduction in the middle syllable in rapid conversation, where /tə/ can become a weak schwa without full articulation, yet the /ˈbeɪ/ should remain clearly articulated to preserve intelligibility. When recording, emphasize the two major vowel sounds /eɪ/ in both the first and third syllables, and finish with a crisp /z/ ending.
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- US: pronounced with rhotic linking only in connected speech, but the word itself remains non-rhotic to the extent that /r/ is not present; focus on clear /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/. - UK: final /ɪz/ can sound like /ɪz/ or /ɪz/; ensure the /beɪs/ is a clear diphthong /eɪ/. - AU: similar to UK, but vowel lengths can be slightly longer in /ˈdeɪtə/ and /ˈbeɪsɪz/; keep non-rhotic tendencies and vowel quality differences: /ɪ/ often reduced toward /ə/ in fast speech. IPA references: US /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/, UK /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/, AU /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪsɪz/.
The word database originated in the mid-20th century as a compound of data + base. ‘Data’ comes from Latin datum, meaning ‘something given’ (plural: data). ‘Base’ here is a foundational repository or store. In early computing, data were stored in flat files or simple filesystems; as information management grew, the term database emerged to describe structured collections with defined schemas, enabling efficient querying and relationships between records. The earliest usage citations appear in the 1960s-1970s era of database management systems (DBMS) development, with prominent references in computer science literature as relational databases gained prominence. Over the decades, the meaning broadened to include various database models (relational, document, graph) and deployment forms (on-premises, cloud). By the late 1990s and into the 2000s, ‘database’ and ‘databases’ became everyday terms across industries, from software engineering to business analytics, reflecting the shift from file dumps to managed, scalable data stores. First known uses appear in technical journals and conference proceedings where database management concepts were being formalized, including the foundational work on relational databases by E.F. Codd and early SQL standards, which cemented the term in IT vocabulary.
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Words that rhyme with "databases"
-ses sounds
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