English dictionary · noun

phonology

The study of the way sounds function in languages, including accent, intonation, phonemes, stress, and syllable structure, and which sounds are distinctive units within a language; (countable) the way sounds function within a given language; a phonological system.

Meaning and definitions

1. The study of the way sounds function in languages, including accent, intonation, phonemes, stress, and syllable structure, and which sounds are distinctive units within a language; (countable) the way sounds function within a given language; a phonological system.
2. The study of the way components of signs function in a sign language, and which components are distinctive units within the language; (countable) the way components of signs function within a given sign language.

Connected roots

• phon-

  sound, voice

• log-

  word, speech, reason

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• technology

  the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

• telephone

  a device that transmits speech over distances by converting sound to signals

• psychology

  the scientific study of the human mind and its functions

• dialogue

  a conversation between two or more people

• biology

  the study of living organisms

• apology

  An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).

• ideology

  Doctrine, philosophy, body of beliefs or principles belonging to an individual or group.

• theology

  the study of the nature of God and religious belief

• catalogue

  a complete list of items arranged systematically

• trilogy

  A set of three connected works—usually dramas, literary pieces, films, or musical compositions—all related by theme, characters, or setting.

• sociology

  A social science that studies society, human social interaction, patterns of social relationships, and the interactions of culture. Through both theory and applied research, it engages subject matters across a range of microanalysis, mesoanalysis, and macroanalysis.

• geology

  the science of the earth's physical structure and substance

• ecology

  The branch of biology dealing with the relationships of organisms with their environment and with each other.

• analog

  In which the value of a data item (such as time) is represented by a continuous(ly) variable physical quantity that can be measured (such as the shadow of a sundial).

• microphone

  an instrument for converting sound waves into electrical energy

• anthropology

  the study of human societies, cultures, and their development

• mythology

  The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes.

• physiology

  the branch of biology dealing with the functions of living organisms

• pathology

  the science of the causes and effects of diseases

• archaeology

  the study of human history through excavation and analysis of remains

• anthology

  A collection of literary works, such as poems or short stories, especially a collection from various authors.

• dialog

  Uncommon spelling of dialogue.

• morphology

  A scientific study of form and structure, usually without regard to function. Especially:

• astrology

  Divination about human affairs or natural phenomena from the relative positions of celestial bodies.

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