Siege is a noun referring to a prolonged military operation in which an area or fortification is surrounded to compel surrender. It can also mean any persistent, prolonged attempt to overcome resistance or obstacle. The term conveys a sense of siege mentality or/and a tactical encirclement, lasting until the defenders capitulate, relief arrives, or the besieging force changes strategy.
US: /siːdʒ/ with a clear long /iː/ and a crisp /dʒ/; rhotic accents do not affect the word much here. UK: similar vowel, slightly shorter or tenser /iː/; AU: may be slightly more open or relaxed; maintain the same IPA /siːdʒ/ across all. Key differences: vowel duration and mouth openness, but the final /dʒ/ remains a strong, voiced affricate. IPA references: US /siːdʒ/; UK /siːdʒ/; AU /siːdʒ/.
"The city endured a brutal siege lasting months as supply lines were cut off."
"A modern political siege can involve relentless media pressure and legal challenges."
"During the siege, the attackers aimed to cut off all routes of exit and access to food."
"Researchers faced a siege mentality, working around the clock to meet deadlines while facing fierce opposition."
Siege comes from the Old French word siege, which itself derives from Latin obsidium, meaning ‘a blockade or battery around a place.’ The Old French term was associated with a seated or seated-attack notion, later evolving into ‘a blockade around a fortress’ in Middle English. Through the centuries, siege has retained its military sense, while in modern usage it also expands metaphorically to describe any persistent pressure or attempt to overcome obstacles. First known use in English traces to medieval warfare discussions, with related terms appearing in chronicles and legal-military texts of the 12th to 14th centuries. The semantic drift toward continuous pressure persists in phrases like ‘siege mentality’ or ‘siege of the media,’ illustrating how a targeted, encircling approach conveys sustained, concentrated effort rather than a single act. The word’s phonology remains stable across English varieties, though spelling pronunciation has diversified with regional accents, yet the core /siːdʒ/ or /siːdʒ/ continues consistently in modern usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Siege" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Siege" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Siege" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Siege"
-eze sounds
-ase sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Siege is pronounced as /siːdʒ/ in IPA, rhyming with words like ‘seizure’ (in many accents) or ‘beige.’ The initial sound is a long 'ee' vowel followed by the ‘j’ sound as in 'judge' or 'edge.' Stress sits on the single syllable. Tip: think ‘see’ plus the soft ‘j’ at the end; ensure the final affricate is a quick, clean /dʒ/ rather than a simple /z/ or /s/.
Common mistakes include turning /siːdʒ/ into /siːdʒi/ or mispronouncing the final /dʒ/ as a /ʒ/ or /ʃ/ sound. Some learners separate the vowels too long or insert an extra syllable, saying ‘see-zh’ or ‘side-zhe.’ Correct by closing with a crisp /dʒ/ (like 'judge') and keeping the long /iː/ from the 'see' part. Practice saying it in one motion: /siːdʒ/ with a quick, light release of /dʒ/.
Across accents, the main difference is vowel quality before the /dʒ/. US and UK typically maintain a clear long /iː/ with a strong, unrounded onset; rhotic influence is minimal here, so /siːdʒ/. Australian accelerates the same core, with a slightly flatter vowel and quicker mouth movement; the /dʒ/ remains voiced and similar. Some speakers may soften the /iː/ leading to a near /iː/ or /ɪ/ in rapid speech. Overall, minimal perceptible difference beyond vowel quality.
It challenges learners on two fronts: sustaining the long /iː/ vowel in a closed monosyllable and executing the /dʒ/ affricate cleanly without inserting a vowel. The quick release of /dʒ/ can blur with /z/ or /ʒ/, so your tongue should rise behind the ridge for /dʒ/ and release sharply. Additionally, non-native speakers may insert an extra vowel before /dʒ/, creating two syllables instead of one.
A unique, search-friendly tip: center the tip of your tongue on the ridge just behind your upper teeth for the /dʒ/; keep the lips relaxed and rounded slightly to guide air into the final closure. Close with a crisp /dʒ/ release, not a trailing /z/ or /ʒ/. Visualize saying ‘see’ and then instantly snapping to the ‘j’ sound as in ‘judge’.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Siege"!
No related words found
