STAY-shuhn
/ˈsteɪʃən/
station is pronounced STAY-shuhn (/ˈsteɪʃən/). Station is a noun or verb referring to a fixed place or position where people or things are stationed, or a place where services or transportation are provided. It denotes a specific point or stop in a network, often used for trains, stations, or service centers. The term implies regular, organized placement or assignment within a system or workflow.
Station is a noun or verb referring to a fixed place or position where people or things are stationed, or a place where services or transportation are provided. It denotes a specific point or stop in a network, often used for trains, stations, or service centers. The term implies regular, organized placement or assignment within a system or workflow.
"I waited at the station for the next train."
"The fire station houses firefighters and equipment."
"We stationed guards along the perimeter to ensure security."
Pronounce it as /ˈsteɪ.ʃn̩/ in US and UK; the initial vowel is a long A sound, followed by a palatal? blend. Stress is on the first syllable: STEI-tion. The final -tion is a syllabic n in many fast contexts, sounding like a quick 'shn' followed by a light n. Mouth position: start with lips spread for /eɪ/, tongue high-mid, then glide into /ˈʃ/ with the tongue behind the alveolar ridge. For audio reference, search for ‘station pronunciation’ on Forvo or YouGlish and listen to native speakers in train contexts.
Common mistakes: 1) Misplacing stress on the second syllable (sta-tion) instead of first; 2) Rendering /ˈsteɪ/ as /ˈstæ/ or a short /eɪ/ like 'sta-tion' with a lax vowel. Correction: keep the first syllable with a clear /eɪ/ diphthong and a strong /ˈ/, then reduce the second syllable to a quick /n̩/ or /ən/ depending on pace. 3) Attaching a hard /t/ before the /ʃ/ (stea-tion) instead of the palatal /ʃ/ sequence; ensure the /t/ combines with /ʃ/ to create /tʃ/ only if dialect allows; otherwise keep /ˈsteɪ.ʃn̩/.
US and UK share /ˈsteɪ.ʃn̩/ with stress on the first syllable; US tends to a shorter, more clipped final syllable, while UK often keeps a fuller, slightly more open /ə/ in the second syllable. Australian speakers may have a tighter /eɪ/ and a crisper final /n/, with less syllable reduction. Watch for rhotic differences: neither American nor British speakers pronounce a rhotic /r/ in standard station; rhoticity is not relevant here. Listen for the /ʃ/ blend after the long /eɪ/ vowel to ensure accuracy across regions.
The difficulty lies in the /eɪ/ diphthong combined with the cluster /ʃ/ and the following syllabic /n̩/. Transition from a strong, easily heard /eɪ/ vowel to a reduced final syllable requires precise timing and tongue control. Some speakers insert an extra /t/ or break the /ʃn̩/ into /ʃən/; aim for smooth coarticulation: /ˈsteɪ.ʃn̩/. Practicing with minimal pairs focused on/diphthong /eɪ/ and the /ʃ/ + /n̩/ sequence helps stabilize the sound.
A unique challenge is maintaining the syllabic /n̩/ at the end in rapid speech, where many speakers reduce it to a light /n/ or omit it in casual speech. Another is holding the /eɪ/ long enough to avoid a rushed first syllable that can sound like /stæ/. Focus on the precise /ˈsteɪ.ʃn̩/ sequence, keeping the /ʃ/ crisp and preventing an intrusive vowel between /eɪ/ and /ʃ/.
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Station comes from Old French estation, from Latin statio meaning a standing, position, or place of standing, derived from stare meaning to stand. The sense expanded from a place where one stands or takes a position (military, watch, or guard) to a fixed place serving a function (post, depot). In Medieval Latin, statio carried the sense of a halt or station of troops. In English, the word has carried multiple related meanings: a fixed place where something is located (train station, police station), a military post, or the act of placing or posting guards or personnel. The modern sense of a place where transportation or services are provided (gas station, water station) emerged as networks expanded in the 17th–19th centuries. First known uses in English trace to the 14th–15th centuries through Old French, with later frequent usage in railway and service contexts during the Industrial era. The word’s spelling and pronunciation stabilized over time, retaining the core “sta-” root from Latin stare, while the ending evolved with French influence to “-tion” in English. It remains a versatile term across sectors, from logistics to media to public service, reflecting its core idea of a designated fixed position within a broader system.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "station" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "station" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "station"
-ion sounds
-rd) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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