4 syllables: Trans, pi, ra, tion. Stress on ra.
tranz-pir-AY-shuhn
/trænzpɪˈreɪʃən/
Transpiration is pronounced tranz-pir-AY-shuhn (/trænzpɪˈreɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Trans-pi-ra-tion), with the stress on "ra". Transpiration is the process by which moisture is released as water vapor from plants, primarily through the stomata in the leaves. It also refers more broadly to the emission of moisture from living tissues. In scientific contexts, it describes both the physiological mechanism and its measurement, often linked to plant physiology and gas exchange.
nounTranspiration is the process by which moisture is released as water vapor from plants, primarily through the stomata in the leaves. It also refers more broadly to the emission of moisture from living tissues. In scientific contexts, it describes both the physiological mechanism and its measurement, often linked to plant physiology and gas exchange.
How to Pronounce Transpiration
"During drought stress, transpiration rates decrease as stomata close."
"Xylem transport supports transpiration, pulling water from roots to leaves."
"Researchers study transpiration to understand photosynthesis efficiency and water use."
Pronounce as /ˌtræns.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/ (US) or /ˌtræns.pɒˈreɪ.ʃən/ (UK). The primary stress is on the third syllable: tran-spi-RA-tion, with the suffix -tion sounding as -ʃən. Start with 'trans' (like 'trans'), then 'pi' with a schwa, then 'ra' with 'ray' plus schwa, and end with 'shun.' Tip: keep the 'r' light in non-rhotic accents, and ensure the 'a' in the stressed syllable is a clear /eɪ/ diphthong.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (often stressing the first or second instead of the third), mispronouncing the -tion as -tion with an 'ən' or 'ɪən' ending, and merging syllables too quickly. Correct by marking: /ˌtræns.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/. Ensure the middle syllable uses a reduced schwa /ə/ and that the final syllable has /ʃən/. Practice slow, then accelerate while keeping the final -tion crisp.
In US, the middle vowel often realization as /ə/ and the final /ˌʃən/ is clear; rhoticity is present, so /r/ is pronounced after vowels. In UK, non-rhotic tendencies may reduce /r/ in 'pre' positions, but the /r/ after /ən/ may vary; the final /ʃən/ remains. Australian English is generally non-rhotic with similar /ə/ vowels, but vowel qualities shift slightly; the /æ/ in 'trans' can be slightly shorter and flatter. Overall, the stress pattern stays the same: /ˌtræns.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/ with the -ʃən final.
It's challenging because of the multi-syllabic structure and the two unstressed syllables before the stressed -reɪ.ʃən sequence, plus the /p/ + /ə/ cluster. The /ˌtræns/ onset combines /t/ and /r/ quickly, and many speakers mishandle the schwa in the middle. The final -tion blends into /ʃən/, which can blur if spoken quickly. Slow it down: /ˌtræns.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/ and practice the transition from /ə/ to /r/ to /eɪ/.
Is there a silent letter in Transpiration? No. The spelling aligns with its pronunciation, with no silent letters. The challenge lies in the stress pattern and the /t/ to /r/ transition across syllables; also the -tion ending is not silent and is pronounced as /ʃən/. Focusing on syllable-timed rhythm helps you place the primary stress accurately.
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Transpiration originates from late Latin transpiratio, from trans- 'across' + spirare 'to breathe.' The term was adopted in 17th–18th century scientific discourse to describe the plant process where water vapor exits through stomata, effectively mirroring a respiratory action in animals. The root spirare, meaning to breathe, points to an analogy between plant water loss and respiration. Early botanists observed steam-like vapor around leaves and connected it to water movement within plants. By the 1800s, transpiration was central to water transport theories, integrated with cohesion-tension theory and xylem function. Over time, the concept broadened to include evapotranspiration in ecological studies, accounting for both evaporation from soil and plant transpiration. Today, transpiration is a foundational term in plant physiology, agronomy, and hydrology, with first known uses traced through botanical journals and university glossaries from Europe and North America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Transpiration" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Transpiration"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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