Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dictation

/dɪkˈteɪʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.71 in modern English

Syllables: dic-ta-tion
IPA: /dɪkˈteɪʃən/

12

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Dictating, the process of speaking for someone else to write down the words.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An activity in school where the teacher reads a passage aloud and the students write it down.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The act of ordering or commanding.

Countable

noun

Orders given in an overbearing manner.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Since I learned shorthand, I can take dictation at eighty words a minute."
"We had reading and geography and Canadian history and dictation today."
"...jurors in England have formerly understood it to be their right and duty to judge only according to their consciences, and not to submit to any dictation from the court, either as to law or fact."
"His habit, even with friends, was that of dictation."

Etymology

From Late Latin dictātiō, noun of action from dictātus, the perfect passive participle of dictō. By surface analysis, dictate + -ion.

Word Breakdown

Root: *deyḱ-, dictātiō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /dɪkˈteɪʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

dictations (plural)

Derived Forms

dictational redictation

Phrases

dictation machine musical dictation running dictation shouting dictation

Synonyms

command bid bidding

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application

Questions

How do you pronounce dictation?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪkˈteɪʃən/.
What does dictation mean?: Dictating, the process of speaking for someone else to write down the words.
Where does dictation come from?: From Late Latin dictātiō, noun of action from dictātus, the perfect passive participle of dictō. By surface analysis, dictate + -ion.

How to pronounce dictation

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪkˈteɪʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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