3 syllables: me, di, tate. Stress on me.
MED-uh-tayt
/ˈmɛdəˌteɪt/
meditate is pronounced MED-uh-tayt (/ˈmɛdəˌteɪt/). It has three syllables (me-di-tate), with the stress on "me". Meditate means to reflect, focus, or contemplate quietly, often for relaxation or spiritual practice. It typically involves deliberate breathing and attention to the present moment, sometimes within a structured routine. The term also appears in secular contexts to describe concentrated, mindful thinking aimed at reducing stress or increasing awareness.
Meditate means to reflect, focus, or contemplate quietly, often for relaxation or spiritual practice. It typically involves deliberate breathing and attention to the present moment, sometimes within a structured routine. The term also appears in secular contexts to describe concentrated, mindful thinking aimed at reducing stress or increasing awareness.
"She sat cross‑legged on the mat to meditate for ten minutes each morning."
"During the workshop, participants were guided to meditate before discussing the issue."
"He tried to meditate to calm his racing mind after a chaotic day."
Pronounce as /ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt/ in standard US and UK usage, with primary stress on the first syllable and secondary stress on the second (MET-ih-tayt). Start with a short, open mid-front vowel in 'med', then a light 'i' vowel in 'i', and finish with a clear 'teɪt' diphthong. Lips slightly rounded for the final /eɪ/; the tongue lands to form /t/ and releases into /eɪ/ smoothly. You’ll hear the beat: MED-i-tate.
Two common errors: (1) Over‑reducing the second syllable, saying /ˈmɛdɪt/ instead of /ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt/, which shortens the final vowel and omits the diphthong. (2) Slurring the final /t/ or turning /teɪt/ into /tiː/ or /teɪt/ with unclear release. Correction: clearly separate the syllables MED‑i‑TATE, aim for a crisp /t/ release before the /eɪ/ glide, and maintain the final /t/ stop sound. Practice holding the /eɪ/ as a distinct diphthong.
In US vs UK vs AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable: US /ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt/, UK /ˈmedɪˌteɪt/, AU /ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt/. The vowel in the first syllable is a short e /ɛ/ for all, but Australian speakers can have a more centralized vowel in fast speech; the /ɪ/ in the second syllable tends to be a short, lax vowel in quick speech. The final /teɪt/ tends to be a clear /eɪt/ in all, with Australian speakers sometimes linking the /t/ and /eɪ/ more loosely.
The difficulty often lies in the diphthong /eɪ/ in the final syllable and the potential for the second syllable to be reduced in fast speech. Additionally, keeping the two primary syllables distinct—/ˈmɛdɪ/ and /ˌteɪt/—without blending into /ˈmɛdɪteɪ/ can be tricky. Focus on a clean boundary between /dɪ/ and /teɪ/, and clearly release the final /t/ before the /eɪ/.
A useful tip is to mentally anchor the word in a breathing cycle: say MED (short pause) i (pause slightly) TATE while you lengthen the final diphthong on the exhale. This aligns with the idea of mindful breathing and helps you maintain natural rhythm, avoiding excessive loudness or hurried speech. Practicing with a hand gesture signaling inhale/exhale can reinforce the timing.
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Meditate comes from the Latin meditatus, past participle of meditari, meaning to think over, ponder, or study. Meditari itself derives from the verb med-, a stem linked to thinking, concern, and care. The English form first appears in the late 14th century, originally tied to religious or contemplative practice—referring to deep, deliberate reflection or prayer. By the 17th–18th centuries, the sense broadened to include secular reflective thinking and mental concentration outside strictly spiritual contexts. Throughout its history, the core notion has remained “to think with intention” and “to focus the mind,” though modern usage often emphasizes mindfulness, relaxation, and deliberate breathing as in meditation practices. The word’s evolution mirrors changes in philosophy, psychology, and wellness culture, where quiet contemplation is framed as a deliberate mental technique rather than mere daydreaming.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "meditate" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "meditate" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "meditate"
-ate sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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