4 syllables: Leu, ko, tri, ene. Stress on tri.
loo-kuh-TREEN
/luː.kəˈtriːn/
Leukotriene is pronounced loo-kuh-TREEN (/luː.kəˈtriːn/). It has four syllables (Leu-ko-tri-ene), with the stress on "tri". Leukotriene is a type of inflammatory mediator produced by leukocytes that participates in signaling during allergic and inflammatory responses. It is a small lipid molecule derived from arachidonic acid and acts by binding to specific receptors, promoting effects such as bronchoconstriction and vascular permeability. In biomedical contexts, leukotrienes are discussed in pharmacology and immunology as targets for anti-inflammatory therapies.
nounLeukotriene is a type of inflammatory mediator produced by leukocytes that participates in signaling during allergic and inflammatory responses. It is a small lipid molecule derived from arachidonic acid and acts by binding to specific receptors, promoting effects such as bronchoconstriction and vascular permeability. In biomedical contexts, leukotrienes are discussed in pharmacology and immunology as targets for anti-inflammatory therapies.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable: you should stress the second syllable; focus on the 'KO' part. - Mispronouncing the 'trie' as 'tree' or 'try' without the appropriate 'iː' length or adding an extra vowel before 'n'. - Dropping the final nasal or turning the ending into a hard 'een' or 'an'. Correction: keep final 'een' or 'iːn' sound, not 'een' with extra vowel. - Skipping the 'u' sound in the first syllable: use a long 'u' (/uː/) rather than a short 'u'. - Attempting to say 'leukot'.Slurring: maintain the clear 'ko' and 'trien' segments.
"The leukotriene pathway contributes to the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis."
"Researchers are exploring leukotriene receptor antagonists to mitigate inflammatory responses."
"Elevated leukotriene levels were detected in the patient, suggesting an active inflammatory process."
Pronounced as loo-KOH-trien (US: /ˌluː.kəˈtraɪ.iːn/; UK: /ljuːˈkɒt.riːn/; AU: /luːˈkɒːtrien/). Emphasize the second syllable with a clear 'ko' sound and a long 'iːn' ending. Start with a light initial 'l' then a stressed 'KO' followed by 'trien'. The final 'e' is often silent or very light in rapid speech. Listen for the 'trie' vowel combination where the 'ie' yields a long 'i'.
Common errors include pronouncing it as 'leu-koh-trin' (mixing 'trien' with 'trin') and dropping the second vowel leading to 'leuk-TRY-een' or 'leu-ko-train'. Also misplacing stress as on the first syllable. Correction: stress the second syllable, ensure the 'trie' yields a long 'iː' sound before the final 'ən' or 'een' depending on speaker. Practice with the IPA: /ˌluː.kəˈtraɪ.iːn/.
In US English, the secondary syllable carries primary stress: /ˌluː.kəˈtraɪ.iːn/. In UK English, you may hear /ljuːˈkɒ.triːn/ with a shorter 'o' in 'ko' and crisper final vowel. Australian English tends to be similar to UK but with slightly flatter vowels; the 'u' in the first syllable is often closer to /uː/ and the final '/iːn/' remains long. Across all, the 'trie' yields a long 'iː' sound; rhotics are non-rhotic in non-US varieties.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllabic length and the 'triene' segment where the 'ie' produces a long 'i' that isn’t a common English spelling pattern. Also the consonant cluster 'ktr' after the second syllable can tempt learners to misplace emphasis or insert an extra vowel. Focus on maintaining the 'ko' syllable as a closed syllable, then release into the 'trine' with a long 'iː' followed by a light 'n'.
Think of 'triene' as one syllable with a long 'i' sound: 'trie' rhymes with 'fly' plus an ending 'n' sound. The 'triene' portion is pronounced as /ˈtraɪ.iːn/ in many dialects; some speakers merge it slightly as /ˈtraɪən/ when spoken quickly. For guidance, practice saying 'train' with a long 'i' then add a soft 'n' after.
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- US: emphasize /ˌluː.kəˈtraɪ.iːn/ with rhotic 'r' touch; UK: /ljuːˈkɒ.triːn/ with non-rhotic and shorter 'ɒ' vowel; AU: /luːˈkɒːtrien/ with broad vowels and slight vowel lengthening. - For all: maintain the 'trie' as one unit with long 'iː' sound before 'n'. - Vowel transitions: ensure /ə/ in 'ke' is pronounced as a schwa in quick speech.
Leukotriene comes from the combination of leuk- (white, from Greek leukos referring to white blood cells) and triene (tri- plus -ene, indicating three double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain) with the diminutive -ene suffix used for unsaturated hydrocarbons and organic signaling molecules. The term first appeared in the scientific literature in the 1970s as researchers characterized new lipid mediators produced by leukocytes. The early discovery centered on the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, where leukocytes convert arachidonic acid into leukotrienes via 5-lipoxygenase. The word reflects both its cellular origin (leuko-/white blood cells) and its chemical nature as a triene lipid signaling molecule. Over time, the term broadened to include various leukotriene subtypes (LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4) that play distinct roles in inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and vascular permeability. Today, leukotrienes are widely studied in clinical contexts for asthma and allergic diseases, and pharmacological interventions often target leukotriene synthesis or receptor binding. First known uses appear in pharmacology and biochemistry literature focused on lipid mediators and inflammatory signaling, with the term becoming standard in immunology texts by the late 20th century.
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Words that rhyme with "Leukotriene"
-ine sounds
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