Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

segmental-phonemes

noun
/sɛɡˈmɛn.təl fənˌiːmz/
Definition
Segmental phonemes are the individual sounds in spoken language that are combined to form words.
Examples
  • In the word ‘cat’, the segmental phonemes are /k/, /æ/, and /t/.
  • Understanding segmental phonemes is crucial for effective language learning.
Meaning
In linguistics, segmental phonemes refer to the distinct units of sound that contribute to the formation of speech. Each phoneme represents a particular sound or a set of similar sounds that differentiate meaning between words.
Synonyms
  • phonetic units
  • speech sounds
  • sound segments