Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cantilever

/ˈkæntɪˌlivɚ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.72 in modern English

Syllables
can-tilever
IPA
/ˈkæntɪˌlivɚ/
15
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A beam anchored at one end and projecting into space, such as a long bracket projecting from a wall to support a balcony.

noun

A beam anchored at one end and projecting into space, such as a long bracket projecting from a wall to support a balcony.

noun

A technique, similar to the spread eagle, in which the skater travels along a deep edge with knees bent and bends their back backwards, parallel to the ice.

verb

To project (something) in the manner of or by means of a cantilever.

Example Sentences

Etymology

First attested in the 1660s, probably from cant (“slope, edge, corner”) + lever, but the earliest form (c. 1610) was cantlapper. First element may also be Spanish can (“dog”), an architect's term for an end of timber jutting out of a wall, on which beams rested.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈkæntɪˌlivɚ/
  • British English: /ˈkantɪliːvə/

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Questions

How do you pronounce cantilever?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkæntɪˌlivɚ/.
What does cantilever mean?
A beam anchored at one end and projecting into space, such as a long bracket projecting from a wall to support a balcony.
Where does cantilever come from?
First attested in the 1660s, probably from cant (“slope, edge, corner”) + lever, but the earliest form (c. 1610) was cantlapper. First element may also be Spanish can (“dog”), an architect's term for an end of timber jutting out of a wall, on which beams rested.

How to pronounce cantilever

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cantilever”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkæntɪˌlivɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cantilever”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “cantilever” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.