syllable

/ˈsɪləbəl/
verb
  1. To pronounce or utter in syllables; to articulate clearly.
    • The teacher asked the student to syllable the word slowly.
    • The actor syllabled the difficult name for the audience.
    • He syllabled his response with careful emphasis on each part.
noun
  1. A single unit of speech sound, usually containing a vowel sound, that forms a word or part of a word.
    • In poetry, poets often count syllables to create rhythm.
    • The word 'banana' has three syllables: ba-na-na.
    • She spoke each syllable clearly so the audience could understand.
  2. The smallest amount of speech or writing; a very brief utterance.
    • Not a syllable of complaint came from the tired hikers.
    • She refused to utter another syllable about the surprise party.
    • He didn't say a single syllable during the entire meeting.
What does "syllable" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean