syllable

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A single unit of sound in a word, usually one vowel sound with consonants around it.

   The word 'pocket' has two syllables.

2. 2
   noun

   The written form of a spoken syllable.

   Children learn to read by sounding out each syllable.

From Middle English syllable, sillable, syllabylle, sylabul, from Anglo-Norman sillable, from Old French sillebe, from Latin syllaba, from Ancient Greek συλλαβή (sullabḗ), from συλλαμβάνω (sullambánō, “to gather together”), from συν- (sun-, “together”) + λαμβάνω (lambánō, “to take”).

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