How do you pronounce "hesitation"?

In American English: /ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/ (hehz-uh-TAYSH-uhn). In British English: /hˌɛzɪtˈeɪʃən/ (h-ehz-IT-aysh). In Canadian English: /ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/ (hehz-uh-TAYSH-uhn). In Australian English: /hˌɛzɪtˈeɪʃən/ (h-ehz-IT-aysh).

Is "hesitation" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/ (hehz-uh-TAYSH-uhn), while in British English it's /hˌɛzɪtˈeɪʃən/ (h-ehz-IT-aysh).

How to Pronounce "hesitation"

🗣️pronounce.how

hesitation

regional

/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/

hehz-uh-TAYSH-uhn

Syllable Breakdown

hɛzhes·əi·teɪʃta·əntion

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

All Variants

Browse by Letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Edit on GitHub Report an issue

Last updated: 2026-02-14