tran-spur-TAY-shuhn
/ˌtɹænspɚˈteɪʃən/
transportation is pronounced tran-spur-TAY-shuhn (/ˌtɹænspɚˈteɪʃən/). Transportation refers to the action of transporting people or goods from one location to another, typically by vehicles or infrastructure. It also denotes the system, routes, and means involved in moving items efficiently, such as roads, railways, and air travel. In practice, it encompasses logistics, mobility planning, and the physical and logistical processes that enable movement. The term can also imply a mode of conveyance or the industry associated with moving objects or people.
Transportation refers to the action of transporting people or goods from one location to another, typically by vehicles or infrastructure. It also denotes the system, routes, and means involved in moving items efficiently, such as roads, railways, and air travel. In practice, it encompasses logistics, mobility planning, and the physical and logistical processes that enable movement. The term can also imply a mode of conveyance or the industry associated with moving objects or people.
"The city is investing in better transportation to reduce congestion."
"A new transportation policy aims to cut carbon emissions from vehicles."
"Public transportation, like buses and subways, is essential for urban life."
You pronounce it as /ˌtrænsˈpɔːrˌteɪʃən/ (US) or /ˌtrænspɔˈteɪʃən/ (UK) with three syllables starting from trans- and stressing the second root syllable 'port' and then '-ation'. The main stress is on the second-to-last syllable in common usage, with a secondary stress on the initial 'trans-'. Try to keep the mouth rounded slightly for the 'ɔː' vowel in 'port' and finish with a light 'əən' or 'ən' in '-tion'. Audio reference: consult Cambridge or Forvo via Pronounce for native speaker examples.
Common mistakes include flattening the 'port' vowel to a short /ɔ/ or misplacing stress on the 'trans-' part. Another frequent error is truncating the final '-tion' to '-shun' or mispronouncing the final /ən/ as a strong 'oon' sound. Correction tips: emphasize the /ˈpɔːr/ portion with a longer rounded vowel, and keep the final syllable unstressed with a clear but light /ən/. Practice the three-syllable rhythm: trans-port-ation, with secondary stress on the 'trans' and primary on 'port' or 'tion' depending on the speaker's variant.
In US English, you’ll hear a three-syllable rhythm with a strong /ˈpɔːr/ (port) and a schwa-like final /ən/. In UK English, the /ɔː/ in 'port' tends to be a longer, rounded vowel and the overall tempo can be slightly slower. Australian English commonly reduces the final syllable slightly and may show a schwa in '-tion' with a flatter intonation. Across accents, the core consonants /t r n s p ɔː r t eɪ ʃ ə n/ remain, but vowel qualities and vowel length vary.
The difficulty comes from the cluster of consonants in the middle (trans-port-), the long vowel in 'port' in some accents, and the often reduced final '-tion' sound. The primary stress falls on the 'port'/'porté' region, which can cause misplacement of stress for learners. Additionally, the sequence /t/ + /r/ + /n/ in quick speech can blur, making the word feel like it runs together. Focusing on clean separation of syllables and practicing the middle vowel will help.
A useful focus is the 'port' vowel quality and the linking between the /t/ ending of 'trans-' and the /p/ at the start of 'port'. In fast speech, the /t/ can be unreleased, and listeners may hear a blended sound across syllables. Maintaining a distinct boundary between the syllables trans- /port/ /-a-/ and -tion helps clarity. Remember also that in many varieties the '-tion' ends with a light /ən/ rather than a full 'tion'.
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Transportation comes from the verb transport, which originates from the Latin trans- ‘across’ and portare ‘to carry’. The noun form evolved in Middle English to refer to the act or process of moving people or goods. The suffix -ation marks a noun of action or process. The concept broadened during the Industrial Revolution as rail, road, and maritime systems expanded, making large-scale movement a defining feature of modern economies. In current usage, transportation encompasses both the means (vehicles, infrastructure) and the system (policy, logistics) that enable movement. First known uses in English date to the 14th–15th centuries in contexts of carrying cargo or people across distances, gradually extending to organized networks and services. Over time, the term has absorbed specialized senses in fields like transportation engineering, logistics, and urban planning, reflecting the integration of technology, policy, and infrastructure in moving goods and people efficiently.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "transportation" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "transportation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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