tel-uh-kuh-myoo-nik-AY-shuhn
/ˌtɛləkəˌmjunɪˈkeɪʃən/
telecommunication is pronounced tel-uh-kuh-myoo-nik-AY-shuhn (/ˌtɛləkəˌmjunɪˈkeɪʃən/). telecommunication refers to the transmission of information by electrical or electromagnetic systems over a distance, encompassing technologies like telephone networks, satellites, and the internet. It covers the provision, operation, and management of communication services and infrastructures. The term emphasizes both the hardware and protocols enabling long-distance information exchange and connectivity.
telecommunication refers to the transmission of information by electrical or electromagnetic systems over a distance, encompassing technologies like telephone networks, satellites, and the internet. It covers the provision, operation, and management of communication services and infrastructures. The term emphasizes both the hardware and protocols enabling long-distance information exchange and connectivity.
- You’ll often misplace stress, making the wrong syllable the main beat; correct by marking the fourth syllable as primary stress and practicing with a metronome to lock cadence. - The /mjuː/ sequence is easy to misread as /mju/ two syllables; practice treating /mjuː/ as one syllable with rounded lips and a quick transition from /m/ to /j/ to /uː/. - Final /keɪ.ʃən/ can blur into /ken/ or /ʃən/; practice crisp /keɪ/ followed by an audible /ʃ/ and a stopped /ən/ to avoid vowel dragging.
"The telecommunication industry has expanded rapidly with the rollout of 5G networks."
"Researchers are exploring more energy-efficient telecommunication protocols for IoT devices."
"Regulators updated policies to encourage competition in national telecommunication markets."
You pronounce it as /ˌtɛl.ɪ.kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/. Primary stress is on the fourth syllable '-keɪ.ʃən'. Start with /ˌtɛl/ (teh-el), move to /ɪ.kə/ (ih-kuh) as a quick link, then /mjuː.nɪ/ (myoo-nee), and finish with /ˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (kay-shuhn). Keep the sequence smooth, with a light, fast middle and clear final syllable. Audio reference: [native speaker samples on Pronounce or YouGlish].
Common errors include misplacing the stress (often stressing the wrong syllable), treating /juː/ as a separate syllable rather than part of /mjuː/ (you-moo), and running the long /keɪ.ʃən/ too quickly, causing the ending to blur. Correct by: 1) ensuring /mjuː/ is a tight unit, 2) keeping /ˈkeɪ.ʃən/ distinct with a clear vowel and final schwa, 3) practicing slow, deliberate tempo before building speed.
In US, /ˌtɛl.ɪ.kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ with rhotacized influence on some vowels and a slightly softened /t/ before /ɪ/. UK often features crisper /t/ and clearer consonant clusters, similar rhythm but with non-rhotics in some speakers, and /ˌtel.ɪ.kɒ.mjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ showing broader /ɒ/ in the first syllable, while AU can sound lighter with shorter vowels and a more relaxed /ˈkeɪ.ʃən/. All retain the /mjuː/ unit; focus on accurate /ˈkeɪ.ʃən/ ending.
The difficulty lies in the long, multi-syllabic sequence with several consecutive consonants and a tricky /mjuː/ cluster that should be treated as a unit rather than two sounds. The primary stress is not on the initial syllable, so beginners often stumble. Additionally, the final /keɪ.ʃən/ ending requires clear vowel and a clipped consonant sequence to avoid blending. Practice slow, then speed to maintain segment integrity.
Watch the /juː/ sequence after /m/; treat /mjuː/ as a single syllabic unit with a tight lip rounding that links /m/ to /juː/. This helps avoid splitting into two syllables and keeps the word flowing. Also, ensure the /keɪ.ʃən/ ending has a crisp /k/ and a clear /eɪ/ before /ʃən/; don't let the /ʃ/ blur into a lazy /ən/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "telecommunication"!
- US: rhotics can color vowels; keep /ɹ/ absent in some environments; ensure /ə/ for the second syllable is reduced appropriately. - UK: crisper consonants; maintain clear /t/ and non-rhotic vowel endings in many speakers. - AU: lighter vowels, faster tempo; maintain the /mjuː/ cohesion and keep /eɪ/ before /ʃən/ distinct. Use IPA anchors to compare.
The word telecommunication combines the Greek prefix tele- meaning distant, with the Latin communicare meaning to share, together forming a compound that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries as electrical signaling and later radio and fiber technologies transformed distant sharing of information. Tele- (Greek) denotes distance, while communicare (Latin) means to share or impart. The term gained prominence in the late 19th century with the advent of telephone systems and later expanded to cover all long-distance information transfer, including radio, microwave, and satellite communications. Early usage often referred narrowly to the signaling methods of telegraphy and telephony, but by mid-20th century it broadened to include networks and protocols enabling global data exchange. First known uses appear in technical journals and engineering reports discussing distant communication infrastructure, with formal adoption in academic and industrial language by the 1920s–1940s as electronic communications matured. The modern sense now integrates a wide range of technologies—from wired to wireless—emphasizing system-level connectivity and service delivery across geographies.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "telecommunication" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "telecommunication" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "telecommunication" 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 "telecommunication"
-ion 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.
