how to pronounce presentation

What is the pronunciation of 'presentation' in English?

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Pronunciations of the word 'presentation'

Pronunciation of 'presentation'.

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How to pronounce presentation

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presentation example in a phrase

The pie chart in this presentation really gets to the heart of the matter.

You've got that presentation down cold.

Definition of presentation

• the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
• a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view
• the act of making something publicly available; presenting news or other information by broadcasting or printing it

Synonyms of presentation

• present pronunciation present [ en ]
• remembrance pronunciation remembrance [ en ]
• award pronunciation award [ en ]
• donation pronunciation donation [ en ]
• contribution pronunciation contribution [ en ]
• Grant pronunciation Grant [ en ]
• benefaction pronunciation benefaction [ en ]
• demonstration pronunciation demonstration [ en ]
• display pronunciation display [ en ]
• show pronunciation show [ en ]

Can you pronounce it better? Or with a different accent? Pronounce presentation in English

Translation of presentation

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• Record pronunciation for presentation presentation   [ en - uk ]
• Record pronunciation for presentation presentation   [ en - other ]

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How to correctly pronounce 'presentation'?

I have been confident with my pronunciation of the word presentation , which is /prɛz(ə)nˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ or /ˌprez.ən'teɪ.ʃən/ .

In the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, the pronunciation of this word is as above in both AmE and BrE. I also listen to the human pronunciation given by the dictionary and decide that it must be /ˌprez.ən'teɪ.ʃən/ . Also, on http://dictionary.cambridge.org , both AmE and BrE versions are pronounced as /prez.ən'teɪ.ʃən/ .

However, on the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries ( http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com ), this word is pronounced as BrE /ˌpreznˈteɪʃn/ , AmE /ˌpriːzenˈteɪʃn/ with the human pronunciation being clearly different.

So my questions:

• Why do the two 'reliable' dictionaries give different versions of pronunciation of presentation ?

Are both right? Which is more common?

• american-english
• pronunciation
• british-english

• 2 Isn't it simply a case of "British prez-en-tation , American pree-zen-tation "? –  WS2 Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 10:37
• 3 Why are you paying attention to British dictionaries when trying to figure out whether a variant pronunciation in American English pronunciation? All three American dictionaries I checked indicate that both pronunciations are acceptable. –  Peter Shor Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 10:43
• 4 I hear both versions, and while the short E version is likely more common (here in the Midwest US), the long E version is fairly common as well. –  Hot Licks Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 11:24
• 3 What is your question? Can a word such as "presentation" have two different, correct pronunciations–even in the same country? The answer is yes. As a native speaker of American English, I use /prez/ and the /priz/ variant seems odd, but we don't all speak the same. –  Arm the good guys in America Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 11:30
• 1 You guys seem to miss my points. What I mean is learners of English in their non-speaking countries depend on dictionaries to learn English. But Cambridge says only /ˌpreznˈteɪʃn/ for both AmE and BrE while Oxford teaches them that /ˌpreznˈteɪʃn/ is BrE and /ˌpriːzenˈteɪʃn/ is AmE. –  Niamh Doyle Commented Jun 8, 2017 at 13:59

2 Answers 2

Some answers to your questions:

Why do the two 'reliable' dictionaries give different versions of pronunciation of presentation?

Who told you that these were "the two 'reliable' dictionaries"? These are both British dictionaries, and both seem to treat American pronunciations more or less as a side issue; they don't always get them correct. They are very reliable for the definitions of the words (at least the British English definitions, which are the same for most words as the American definitions) and the British pronunciations.

Two of the American dictionaries I checked ( Merriam-Webster and American Heritage ), say that both /ˌprezənˈteɪʃən/ and /ˌpriːzənˈteɪʃən/ are acceptable pronunciations. I hear both. So for this particular word, these American dictionaries are batting 1000, while the British dictionaries are not. Unfortunately, neither of them gives pronunciations in IPA.

Which is more common? That may depend on which region of the U.S. that you live in, and I wouldn't want to guess the answer without access to a nation-wide survey.

• 1 For what it’s worth, in a 2007 update for presentation the OED gives Brit. /ˌprɛznˈteɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌprɛznˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌpriˌzɛnˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌpriznˈteɪʃ(ə)n/. I can’t say that the /priz/ pronunciation personally rings any bells; I’ve only ever said /prɛz/. I can’t imagine anyone in the world ever saying /prez/ like prays . –  tchrist ♦ Commented Feb 17, 2018 at 16:43

Because English speakers pronounce the word in different ways.

Yes, both are right. I don't know which is more common. But if you choose a pronunciation from a reliable dictionary, there should be no problem. If you chat with other speakers and hear them pronounce the word differently from you, then maybe you can change the way you pronounce it. Reliable dictionaries won't give you bad pronunciations. You can also check forvo.com and listen to various native pronunciations.

It is also simply not true that, to quote part of your comment,

learners of English in their non-speaking countries depend on dictionaries to learn English.

Maybe you do. Most learners I know rely on more natural sources, such as podcasts, forvo, speaking with native speakers on Italki, Verbling, GoSpeaky, etc., YouTube videos such as Rachel's English, listening to English radio, watching movies, etc. Yes, you can start by consulting a dictionary, but you should rely more on these other sources if you're truly studying and learning the language. And I haven't even mentioned taking English classes or hiring a tutor. Okay, now I have mentioned them.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged american-english pronunciation british-english or ask your own question .

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How to pronounce presentation in English ( 1 out of 53558 ):

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Definition:

Click on any word below to get its definition:, nearby words:, having trouble pronouncing 'presentation' learn how to pronounce one of the nearby words below:.

• presidential
• preparation

When you begin to speak English, it's essential to get used to the common sounds of the language, and the best way to do this is to check out the phonetics. Below is the UK transcription for 'presentation' :

• Modern IPA: prɛ́zəntɛ́jʃən
• Traditional IPA: ˌprezənˈteɪʃən
• 4 syllables : "PREZ" + "uhn" + "TAY" + "shuhn"

Test your pronunciation on words that have sound similarities with 'presentation' :

• presentations
• precipitation
• precondition
• predestination
• premonition
• present moment
• present tense
• present time
• profanation
• prostitution
• public presentation
• representation
• representations

Tips to improve your English pronunciation:

Here are a few tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of 'presentation' :.

• Sound it Out : Break down the word 'presentation' into its individual sounds "prez" + "uhn" + "tay" + "shuhn". Say these sounds out loud, exaggerating them at first. Practice until you can consistently produce them clearly.
• Self-Record & Review : Record yourself saying 'presentation' in sentences. Listen back to identify areas for improvement.
• YouTube Pronunciation Guides : Search YouTube for how to pronounce 'presentation' in English .
• Pick Your Accent : Mixing multiple accents can be confusing, so pick one accent ( US or UK ) and stick to it for smoother learning.

Here are a few tips to level up your english pronunciation:

• Mimic the Experts : Immerse yourself in English by listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or movies with subtitles. Try shadowing—listen to a short sentence and repeat it immediately, mimicking the intonation and pronunciation.
• Become Your Own Pronunciation Coach : Record yourself speaking English and listen back. Identify areas for improvement, focusing on clarity, word stress, and intonation.
• Train Your Ear with Minimal Pairs : Practice minimal pairs (words that differ by only one sound, like ship vs. sheep ) to improve your ability to distinguish between similar sounds.
• Explore Online Resources : Websites & apps offer targeted pronunciation exercises. Explore YouTube channels dedicated to pronunciation, like Rachel's English and English with James for additional pronunciation practice and learning.

WORD STRESS | How to Pronounce PRESENT & PRESENTATION – American English Pronunciation Lesson

May 4, 2018 | How to pronounce English words correctly , Pronunciation Question of the Week , Pronunciation Training , Stress in words and sentences

Learn how to pronounce the English words PRESENT & PRESENTATION correctly with this American English pronunciation lesson. Improve Your Accent & Speak Clearly with this video lesson. Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language guides you through a quick pronunciation lesson with quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time.

PRESENT (noun) PREZ-unt which rhymes with pleasant, pheasant. PRESENT (verb) pra-ZENT. PRESENTATION prez-un-TAY-shun

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Definition of presentation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

presentation

• presentation on/about somebody/something The sales manager will give a presentation on the new products.
• Several speakers will be making short presentations .
• The conference will begin with a keynote presentation by a leading industry figure.
• a slide/video/multimedia presentation
• presentation on

Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!

• The trial was adjourned following the presentation of new evidence to the court.
• The presentation of prizes began after the speeches.
• The Mayor will make the presentation (= hand over the gift) herself.
• on presentation of something Members will be admitted on presentation of a membership card.
• a presentation copy (= a free book given by the author or publisher )
• a presentation ceremony/evening
• presentation to
• Improving the product's presentation (= the way it is wrapped, advertised, etc.) should increase sales.
• I admire the clear, logical presentation of her arguments.
• The main emphasis of the training will be on presentation skills .
• I've put my presentation on a memory stick.
• the school's annual presentation evening
• [countable] a performance of a play, etc. in a theatre
• [countable, uncountable] ( medical ) the position in which a baby is lying in the mother’s body just before birth

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presentation

Definition of presentation

• fairing [ British ]
• freebee
• largess

Examples of presentation in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'presentation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing presentation

• breech presentation

Dictionary Entries Near presentation

present arms

presentation copy

Cite this Entry

“Presentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presentation. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of presentation, medical definition, medical definition of presentation, more from merriam-webster on presentation.

Nglish: Translation of presentation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of presentation for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about presentation

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English pronunciation of presentation

Presentation.

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(English pronunciations of presentation from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus and from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary , both sources © Cambridge University Press)

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Presentations in English: part 1

Using the correct technical language and adequate pronunciation..

Most professionals already know the technical language or English "jargon" relevant to their particular field. However, many may be more proficient with reading technical terminology and could be less familiar with pronouncing the expressions correctly in English.

If the words you need to know are long or complicated to pronounce, you could practise them before giving the presentation in English. One way to do this is by using a free Text to Speech programme (TTS). Insert sentences into the box which include the technical words and select a British English or American English voice if possible. Do not worry that the voice is machine generated. For pronunciation practice of individual words the quality is usually adequate.* You can often download an Mp3 version to keep.

Practice makes perfect

If you want your audience to understand you correctly during the presentation, practise your own pronunciation of technical vocabulary by copying the TTS extracts as mp3 files and then recording and listening to your own voice and comparing the two versions. Keep the TTS extracts on your laptop or mobile device for listening practice on the day the presentation starts, if possible.

Part 2 - Planning your presentation

*Machine generated TTS software often has problems with intonation (rising or falling voice in questions or stressing particular words etc.) but if you use it only for practice of how to pronounce particular words in English, you should find it very useful.

Copyright © 2023 Practising English All rights reserved

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Phonetic spelling of presentations

p-re-sen-ta-tions 0 rating rating ratings Private prez-uh n-tey-shuh n 0 rating rating ratings Winifred Deckow p-resent-a-tions 0 rating rating ratings Adria

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Effective Presentations Rolling Out New Training Platform For Legal Professionals 0 rating rating ratings Arturo Ebert

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how to pronounce presentation

/ˌpɹɛzənˈtɛɪʃən/.

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of presentation is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

presentation is pronounced in four syllables

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video examples of presentation pronunciation

An example use of presentation in a speech by a native speaker of british english:

“… to make the presentation as effective as …”

meaning of presentation

Presentation is the act of formally sharing information about something to someone.

presentation frequency in english - B2 level of CEFR

the word presentation occurs in english on average 32.1 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for B2 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.

topics presentation can be related to

it is hard to perfectly classify words into specific topics since each word can have many context of its use, but our machine-learning models believe that presentation can be often used in the following areas:

1) communication, information, and media;

2) people, society, and culture;

words that rhyme with presentation

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Undergraduate Research

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Steps to Plan Your Presentation

Delivering an effective oral presentation is an essential skill for sharing your research findings with an audience. Tailoring your presentation to your audience, preparing for technical issues, and engaging your listeners with clear, concise content are crucial for the success of your research project. This guide provides comprehensive advice on how to prepare, what to include, and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring your presentation is impactful and memorable.

For further assistance, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research for individual consultations.

What You Need To Know

 Purpose

The purpose of an oral presentation is to share your research with an audience, typically through PowerPoint or Prezi. It is typically a synopsis of your research. If you've conducted a study, you will probably address the following topics:

• Background research on your topic (with citations to past studies)
• The rationale for your study (how does your study address a gap in the literature?)
• Hypotheses/research questions
• Methodology
• Results (graphs are more interesting than tables or words)
• Conclusions (for example, the implications or applications of your research, limitations, future research directions, a concise summary of your main findings, concluding thoughts)
• References and Acknowledgements (such as grant support, a faculty advisor if he/she is not an author on the presentation, assistance from others who are not listed as authors)

If your scholarship is in a different form (e.g., a film analysis, a presentation of a creative work), the structure will likely be a little different, but in all cases, it should be clear to the audience what the main goals of your research are, why it's important to do this work, and what you found in your research.  

Preparation

• First, make sure you know how much time you have; it is common for oral presentations at conferences to exceed the time limit. Prepare a presentation that is a little shorter than the allotted time to allow for questions and other comments.
• Think about your audience: Will they understand technical terms, jargon, and acronyms? Will they be mostly undergraduates or professors in the field? You should tailor your presentation to your expected audience.
• Think carefully about your central message. What do you want the audience to know by the end of your presentation? Most people will only remember a few take-home points from your carefully constructed presentation (if that!). There's no point in getting bogged down in minutia that the audience can't really process anyway.
• The most important parts are the beginning (to draw the audience in) and the ending (to wrap up, to inspire). Put some thought into how to make these parts of your presentation have impact.
• Think about your speaking style; can you speak loudly and clearly? Can you modulate your voice appropriately, or do you tend to sound monotone when you give presentations? Consider working on your public speaking skills if it's needed; consider joining Legacy Owls Toastmasters Club  for this purpose and check out Toastmasters International public speaking tips .

 Plan for the Unexpected

• Will the conference provide computers or do you bring your own laptop?
• Will there be internet available?
• How reliable is the internet?
• Will there be speakers or a way to use audio (if necessary)?
• Back up your presentation in at least two places (e.g., flash drive, Dropbox, email it to yourself).
• When you prepare a presentation on a Mac and then use a PC (or vice versa), be aware that sometimes things look different.
• Bring a printed copy in case the technology fails, or have a tablet/laptop with you.
• Find the room early, and check out the technology so you’re familiar with it.

What to Avoid

It is usually not required that you use visuals for your presentation, but a PowerPoint or Prezi can often help the audience follow along with your research.

If you use PowerPoint or Prezi:

• Avoid the temptation to put too much text on your slides; the audience can get bored or overwhelmed and might not be able to clearly see all the words if you've used a small font (less than 20-pt is considered "small"). 
• Avoid font types that are hard to read or look unprofessional.
• Avoid putting words on a busy powerpoint background that makes the words hard to read.
• Avoid using font color that doesn't contrast with the background (in other words, your audience can't read gray text on a black background). 
• Avoid tables and graphs that have too much information - you can recreate those tables and graphs with just the most important information instead.

Also, consider your verbal and physical presentation:

• Avoid reading your slides to the audience.
• Avoid reading from prepared notes; the audience will maintain interest better if you can speak extemporaneously directly to them. It's also hard to make eye contact with the audience if you are reading.
• Avoid distracting behaviors or verbal tics (“um,” “like,” “uh”).
• Dress appropriately for the occasion.
• Consider your body language (e.g., arms crossed can come across as you not wanting to be there).

Ways to Stand Out

• Embrace a "Presentation Zen" style: simple (not simplistic), clean, and powerful.
• Have interesting, high-resolution images on your slides.
• You could connect your research to recent events (perhaps asking the audience to summarize the recent event).
• You could ask specific questions throughout the presentation.
• You could poll the audience on a topic relevant to your presentation (perhaps even using a free resource such as Socrative or Poll Everywhere ).
• You could insert a powerful quote into your presentation (perhaps at the beginning or end).
• You can show a short video to illustrate something important about your topic.
• The point is not to be gimmicky; the point is to keep your audience interested and engaged (especially when the audience has been listening to oral presentations all day and might be tired). Be aware, though, that different disciplines have different conventions regarding what is and is not appropriate for an oral presentation; be sure to ask your research advisor for advice first.
• Showing enthusiasm for their work
• Being energetic
• Using emphasis on certain words
• Using hand gestures to keep the audience engaged

Handling Audience Questions

• Be sure to leave some time at the end.
• If a questioner is soft-spoken, repeat the question so everyone hears.
• Avoid long, meandering answers.
• Don’t make something up if you don’t know an answer. Offer to look it up and get back to the person, and be open to someone in the audience knowing the answer.
• Give positive reinforcement to questioners (smiling, nodding, “that’s a good question”).
• If someone is attacking you or otherwise being rude, remember that this usually comes from someone who wants to show off or appear smart in front of everyone The other audience members will recognize the rudeness and be on your side! Stay calm, answer as best you can, and acknowledge it when he/she makes a good point (smiling and nodding can disarm an attacker).
• People will often talk to you right afterwards; try to avoid running out right after your presentation if you can help it.
• Audience members may email for a copy of your presentation or to ask further questions; be sure to follow up with them.

Conclusions

If you have been accepted to present your research at a conference, congratulations! This is a great honor, and you should be proud of this accomplishment. If you would like an individual consultation with someone from the Office of Undergraduate Research about your presentation, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] .

Other online resources to check out include:

• Presentation Tips (Prepare, Design, Deliver)
• 18 Tips for Killer Presentations

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