phonetic alphabet

noun

1. an alphabet containing a separate character for each distinguishable speech sound.

phonetic alphabet

noun

1. a list of the words used in communications to represent the letters of the alphabet, as in E for Echo, T for Tango

Word History and Origins

Origin of phonetic alphabet¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

It is evident that the use of a phonetic alphabet will make havoc of the ordinary spelling to be learnt subsequently.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of a phonetic alphabet is the only way to perform this double work rapidly, rationally, and with the minimum of confusion.

From Project Gutenberg

But how was this to be effected with a language which, like Chinese, had no phonetic alphabet?

From Project Gutenberg

They gave the phonetic alphabet to mankind and it seems not unlikely the knowledge of iron as well.

From Project Gutenberg

It is interesting as one of the stages of an art which culminated in the invention of a phonetic alphabet.

From Project Gutenberg