word stress

noun

: the manner in which stresses are distributed on the syllables of a word

called also word accent

Examples of word stress 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.
Another study looked at how parents’ singing and musicality at home correlated with the child’s word stress perception (meaning their ability to know which part of a word to stress). Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023 One interstitial word stresses the possibility of transformation rather than stasis: liminal. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2020 Nevertheless, Aldridge offered words stressing peace and the love of family on that December day. K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 29 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of word stress was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near word stress

Cite this Entry

“Word stress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/word%20stress. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!