speech sound

noun

, Phonetics.

1. any of the set of distinctive sounds of a given language. Compare phoneme.
2. any audible, elemental, acoustic event occurring in speech: Compare phone ².

   “Go” contains the speech sound “o.”

3. any of the sounds of the entire phonetic system of a language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of speech sound¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

It is aptly referred to as “decoding,” because it teaches beginning readers to decipher letters into speech sounds.

From Washington Post

Hence salubris oratio means a speech sound in matter, possessing original strength; sana, a temperate and discreet speech.

From Project Gutenberg

By the age of two—or less—the child should be able to imitate exactly any speech-sound.

From Project Gutenberg

It makes our speech sound like that of a gushing school girl, to whom everything is very, awfully sweet.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not a speech sound, but a kind of whine, always coupled with a deep sigh.

From Project Gutenberg

He had the power of making his speech sound like a deep, soft music.

From Project Gutenberg