How Many Syllables In Defendant?
3syllables
Defendant has 3 syllables, de-fen-dant. It is a trisyllabic word.
defendant
/dɪˈfen.dənt/ UK /dɪˈfen.dənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, fen.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/CVCC
Division By Sound
/dɪ.fen.dənt/
Division By Letters
de-fen-dant
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Defendant
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | d | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | f | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | d | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Defendant Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /f/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in defendant?
Defendant has 3 syllables, de-fen-dant. In British English it is transcribed /dɪˈfen.dənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in defendant?
The second syllable, fen, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of defendant?
Defendant has the structure CV/CVC/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide defendant into syllables?
By sound, dɪ.fen.dənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, de-fen-dant.