2 syllables: Seg, ment. Stress on Seg.
SEG-muhnt
/ˈsɛɡmənt/
Segment is pronounced SEG-muhnt (/ˈsɛɡmənt/). It has two syllables (Seg-ment), with the stress on "Seg". Segment (noun): a part or section of something that can be separated or divided. In linguistics, it refers to the smallest unit of sound in speech that can distinguish meaning. The term also applies to anatomy, biology, and project planning to describe a distinct division or portion.
nounSegment (noun): a part or section of something that can be separated or divided. In linguistics, it refers to the smallest unit of sound in speech that can distinguish meaning. The term also applies to anatomy, biology, and project planning to describe a distinct division or portion.
How to Pronounce Segment
"The market was divided into three segments based on income levels."
"In sentence analysis, each segment contains a stressed syllable."
"Researchers studied the segmented flow of the river to identify pollution sources."
You say SEG-ment, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈsɛɡ.mənt/. Start with a clear S + short e as in ‘set,’ then /ɡ/ as in ‘go,’ then a Schwa-like /mə/ before the final /nt/. Keep the lips relaxed for the vowel, and make sure the /g/ is a hard g, not a soft /dʒ/. Practice with: SEG-ment, SEG-ment, SEG-ment; repeat smoothly, then say it in quick phrases.
Two common errors are misplacing the stress (saying seg-MENT) and softening the /g/ into /dʒ/ or fricative-like. To correct: fix the stress on SEG, keep /ɡ/ as a hard stop, and follow with a relaxed /mənt/. Another mistake is pronouncing the final /t/ as a tap or silent; ensure you articulate a clear /t/ with a light release. Practicing slow, then rhythmic, helps cement the correct pattern.
In US/UK/AU, primary stress remains on SEG. Vowel quality is similar: /ˈsɛɡ.mənt/. US rhoticity doesn’t affect this word, but in fast speech, some speakers reduce /ə/ to a near-Schwa; UK speakers may have a slightly crisper /t/ ending. Australian speech tends to be even more vowel-reduced in casual contexts, but the /ˈsɛɡ.mənt/ skeleton stays intact. In connected speech, expect a quick, light /t/ release or occasional flapping before a following consonant in rapid phrases.
The challenge lies in the two-consonant onset cluster after the first syllable (g + m) and the final consonant cluster (-nt). Achieving a clean /ɡ/ stop followed by a Schwa-like /ə/ requires precise timing; some speakers merge /m/ and /n/ or insert a vowel between /ɡ/ and /n/. Another difficulty is keeping primary stress on the first syllable in longer sentences, avoiding a post-stress shift.
A unique angle is its post-nasal structure: after /m/ you directly move into a nasal /n/ before the final /t/. This can cause a perceived /nt/ blend or a slightly reduced /ən/ before /t/. Paying attention to the transition from /ə/ to /nt/ helps keep the syllables distinct. Visualize starting with SEG- and finishing with -ment, ensuring both syllables are cleanly enunciated and the final /t/ lands crisply.
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Segment comes from the Latin segmentum, meaning ‘a cut, piece, or division.’ Segmentum itself derives from segere, meaning ‘to cut or divide.’ In late Middle English, segment began to describe a part of a whole and, by extension, any discrete portion or subdivision. The term gained specialized use in anatomy (segmented structures) and in biology (segmented worms, segmentation as a developmental process). In linguistics and psychology, segment can refer to a discrete unit of perception or speech sound. The usage broadened in the 19th and 20th centuries with analytic and algorithmic contexts—segmenting markets, data, and signals. Today, segment is common across disciplines and remains a versatile word for any clearly defined part of a larger entity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Segment" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Segment" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Segment"
-ent sounds
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