4 syllables: Ex, hi, bi, tion. Stress on bi.
ek-suh-BISH-uhn
/ˌɛksəˈbɪʃən/
Exhibition is pronounced ek-suh-BISH-uhn (/ˌɛksəˈbɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Ex-hi-bi-tion), with the stress on "bi". Exhibition is a noun referring to a public display of items or a formal event designed to showcase something, such as art, products, or information. It denotes a staged display intended for public viewing and inspection, often curated and organized around a theme or topic. The term can also describe the act of exhibiting or presenting something to others in a structured setting.
nounExhibition is a noun referring to a public display of items or a formal event designed to showcase something, such as art, products, or information. It denotes a staged display intended for public viewing and inspection, often curated and organized around a theme or topic. The term can also describe the act of exhibiting or presenting something to others in a structured setting.
"The city scheduled an art exhibition at the downtown gallery."
"Industry leaders will attend the technology exhibition to see the latest gadgets."
"The museum opened a new exhibition on ancient civilizations."
Exhibition is pronounced ɪɡˌzɪˈbɪʃ.ən in US and UK varieties, with primary stress on the third syllable: ex- xi- BI- tion. The typical rhythm is unstressed-unstressed-STRESSED-un-stressed. Start with a light 'ig' as in imitate, then a crisp 'zib' or 'xib', followed by the 'ish' /ɪʃ/ and a soft 'ən' or syllabic 'n' at the end. Mouth positions: initial /ɪ/ as in sit, move to /ɡz/ or /gz/ cluster, then /ɪ/ again, then /bɪ/ with a voiced bilabial /b/ and short /ɪ/, then /ʃ/ as in ship and final /ən/ or /n̩/. Audio resources help confirm subtle vowel length and stress placement.
Common errors: (1) Reducing /ˈz/ into a soft /z/ too early, resulting in e.g., /ɪgzɪˈbɪʃn/ instead of /ɪɡˌzɪˈbɪʃən/. (2) Misplacing stress by saying ex-zi-BI-tion with final stress; ensure primary stress on the third syllable: ex-zi-BI-tion. (3) Slurring the /gz/ cluster into a simple /gz/ or /gz/ into /z/; practice the /ɡz/ sequence clearly. Correct by: isolating the /ɡz/ and holding briefly, then releasing into /ɪ/.
US, UK, and AU share /ɪɡˌzɪˈbɪʃən/ as the base, but stress can feel slightly different due to rhythm; US often has a flatter intonation with reduced vowels in fast speech, UK tends to clearer enunciation and stronger /ɪ/ in the first syllable; AU generally merges some vowels, with slightly higher vowel length on the stressed syllable. All maintain the /ˈbɪ/ and /ʃən/ ending, but the preceding /z/ cluster can be more pronounced in careful UK speech.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure with a consonant cluster /ɡz/ after the initial vowel and the mid-word vowel reductions. The primary stress falls on the third syllable, which can be unfamiliar for non-native speakers who expect more regular stress patterns. Additionally, the ending /ʃən/ blends quickly in fluent speech, making the final syllable easy to swallow. Practicing the sequence slowly helps fix the rhythm and reduces sloppiness.
There are no silent letters in Exhibition. Each syllable carries sound: ex- (first syllable), hib- or - hi- in the second, -bi- in the third, -tion at the end. The 'ti' digraph produces /ʃən/ with the 't' contributing to the 'sh' sound in the final syllable. Keep the /z/ crisp before the /ɪ/ and avoid dropping the /ɡ/. Attention to the /t/ in the final syllable is important for the /ʃən/ pronunciation.
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Exhibition comes from the Latin expositio, from exponere meaning to put forth or display. The prefix ex- indicates outward, and the stem posit- relates to placing or putting. The term entered English in the 14th century in contexts of displaying or revealing. Over time, exhibition broadened from personal exposition and public display to organized public events, such as art shows, trade fairs, and museum displays. The word adapted through French influence as exposition, then settled in English with the current spelling, retaining the core idea of presenting something to be seen by others. In modern usage, exhibition often implies a curated, temporary display crafted to attract an audience and convey curated information or aesthetic experience. The sense of formal presentation at a venue with curated items develops from the broader notion of exposing or presenting knowledge, objects, or talents to the public, sometimes emphasizing educational or promotional aims. The etymology reflects a journey from Latin roots to a mainstream English term associated with events, galleries, and organized showings, with the first known attestations appearing in medieval and early modern texts describing displays and public demonstrations.
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Words that rhyme with "Exhibition"
-ion sounds
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