5 syllables: neu, ro, trans, mis, sion. Stress on mis.
/ˌnjuː.rəʊ.trænzˈmɪʃən/
Say it backNeurotransmission is the process by which nerve cells communicate, involving the release, diffusion, and receptor binding of neurotransmitters at synapses. It encompasses presynaptic release, synaptic cleft diffusion, and postsynaptic receptor activation, enabling rapid chemical signaling that underpins nervous system function. The term is used across neuroscience, physiology, and pharmacology to describe how neurons convey signals to one another and to target cells.
"Researchers studied how dopamine influences neurotransmission in reward pathways."
"The drug altered neurotransmission by modulating receptor sensitivity."
"During epilepsy, abnormal neurotransmission can cause abnormal neural firing."
Say /ˌnjʊəroʊˌtrænsˈmɪʃən/ in US, with primary stress on the last syllable of transmission. Break it into: neu-ro-trans- Mission. Start with the “new-roh” /ˈnjuːˌroʊ/ but the more natural US rendering is /ˌnjʊəroʊ/; then /træns/ as in transfer, followed by /ˈmɪʃən/ like mission. You’ll want the /j/ in neu as a short “y” onset and the /r/ lightly tapped in American speech. Audio references: consult a reliable dictionary’s pronunciation audio for models, such as Cambridge/Oxford or Forvo entries.”,
Two frequent errors are misplacing stress on the 'trans' syllable and mispronouncing the ending as '-shun' with a hard 'sh' only. Correct approach: place secondary stress on the 'neu' and primary stress on 'mission' (neuro-trans-MIS-sion). Ensure the 'str' cluster is clear in 'trans' and don’t reduce 'neuro' to a flat 'noo-ruh'. Practice the rhythm: /ˌnjʊəroʊˌtrænsˈmɪʃən/ with clear /tr/ onset and relaxed final syllable. Listen to science dictionaries for precise audio cues.
In US English you’ll hear /ˌnjʊəroʊˌtrænsˈmɪʃən/ with rhotic r and a clear /oʊ/ in neu-ro. UK tends to have a non-rhotic ending and slightly different vowel quality in /ˈnjuːrəˌstrænsˈmɪʃən/ with more schwa-like final syllable; Australian often reduces the first vowel slightly and may show a fuller /ɔː/ in some speakers, though generally close to UK. Across all, stress pattern remains similar: secondary stress on neu-, primary on -mis-sion, with /tr/ cluster prominent.
Several phonetic challenges converge: a multi-syllabic word with a preserved 'neuro' cluster that can be reduced in casual speech, a tri-syllabic 'trans- mission' with a consonant cluster /tr/ followed by /mɪʃ/ that can blur in rapid speech, and final /ən/ that often reduces to /ən/ or /ən/. The combination of /njʊəroʊ/ vs /njuːroʊ/ and the strong -mɪʃən ending requires precise tongue placement and lip rounding. Practice by isolating neu- and trans- then merging at tempo.
A distinctive feature is the juxtaposition of a soft 'neu' onset with a strong 'trans' onset, creating a sharp consonant cluster before a stressed 'mɪʃən'. You should maintain a consistent /tr/ release and avoid vowel reduction that would blur 'neu' into 'new-ruh' too much. Focus on forming the /njʊə/ or /njuːrə/ combination cleanly before the /træns/ sequence, and keep the final /ən/ crisp.
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Neurotransmission comes from three components: neuro- (from Greek neuron, 'nerve'), -trans- (a Latin prefix meaning 'across' or 'through'), and -mission (from Latin missio, meaning 'sending' or 'sending forth'). The term reflects the process of sending chemical signals across the synaptic gap from a neuron to a target cell. The concept emerged from 20th-century neuroscience as scientists deciphered synaptic communication mechanisms. The word “neuro-” dates to early neuphronology-inspired language; “transmission” as a biophysical term has roots in Latin missio (to send). First known usage of “neurotransmission” in scientific literature appears mid-20th century as techniques to study synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, dopamine) and receptor binding matured, culminating in a contemporary model where precise vesicular release and receptor activation define fast synaptic signaling. Over decades, the term has become a canonical descriptor for the chemical signaling step bridging presynaptic and postsynaptic elements, and is now routinely contrasted with neuromodulation and neural integrator processes in textbooks and research articles.
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Words that rhyme with "neurotransmission"
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