phonology

noun

pho·​nol·​o·​gy fə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce phonology (audio)
fō-
1
: the science of speech sounds including especially the history and theory of sound changes in a language or in two or more related languages
2
: the phonetics and phonemics of a language at a particular time
phonological
ˌfō-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce phonology (audio)
 also  ˌfä-
adjective
or less commonly phonologic
ˌfō-nə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce phonology (audio)
 also  ˌfä-
phonologically
ˌfō-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce phonology (audio)
 also  ˌfä-
adverb
phonologist
fə-ˈnä-lə-jist How to pronounce phonology (audio)
fō-
noun

Examples of phonology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An expert in music and mathematics and an authority on English phonology, he had been contacted by the editor James Murray to assist with compiling what would become the Oxford English Dictionary. — Malcolm Forbes, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2023 To me, the most interesting result here is that taboo words don't have a characteristic phonology, but phonology does determine how easily a word can be paired with a taboo term. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

phono- + -logy

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phonology was in 1798

Rhymes for phonology

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Browse Nearby Words

phonologize
phonology
phonomania
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Cite this Entry

“Phonology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonology. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

phonology

noun
pho·​nol·​o·​gy fə-ˈnäl-ə-jē, fō- How to pronounce phonology (audio)
plural phonologies
1
: the science of speech sounds including especially the history and theory of sound changes in a language or in two or more related languages
2
: the phonetics and phonemics of a language at a particular time
phonological
ˌfōn-ᵊl-ˈäj-i-kəl also ˌfän-ᵊl-
adjective
also phonologic
-ik How to pronounce phonology (audio)
phonologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce phonology (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on phonology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phonology

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