phonation

[ foh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

, Phonetics.

1. rapid, periodic opening and closing of the glottis through separation and apposition of the vocal cords that, accompanied by breath under lung pressure, constitutes a source of vocal sound.
2. (not in technical use) voice; vocalization. Compare voice ( defs 15, 16 ).

Other Words From

• pho·na·to·ry [foh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phonation¹

First recorded in 1835–45; phon- + -ation

Example Sentences

By contrast, the myoelastic-aerodynamic theory of phonation holds that complex interactions involving aerodynamic stresses cause purring in cats, particularly as these stresses are applied to the free surfaces of the cats' vocal folds.

From Salon

It’s called ventricular fold phonation, and it means you vibrate the cartilage in your throat alongside your vocal cords.

From New York Times

My piece is built on all the sonic consequences of physical labor, how it bears on how you breathe, how breathing in a very labored way can produce phonation.

From New York Times

Having real-time data where you can look back and see gait and phonation — it's orders of magnitude more helpful in trying to find things that in real life make it better or worse.

From Nature

I have examined the phonation of lions, tigers, leopards, cats, dogs, birds of many kinds, and the human voice in speech, music, and laughter.

From Project Gutenberg