triphthong

American  

[trif-thawng, -thong, trip-] / ˈtrɪf θɔŋ, -θɒŋ, ˈtrɪp- /

noun

1. Phonetics.  a monosyllabic speech-sound sequence perceived as being made up of three differing vowel qualities, as the pronunciation of our, especially in r-dropping dialects.

2. (not in technical use) a trigraph.

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triphthong British  

/ ˈtrɪp-, ˈtrɪfθɒŋ /

noun

1. a composite vowel sound during the articulation of which the vocal organs move from one position through a second, ending in a third

2. a trigraph representing a composite vowel sound such as this

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Other Word Forms

• triphthongal adjective

Etymology

Origin of triphthong

1590–1600; < New Latin triphthongus < Medieval Greek tríphthongos with three vowels, equivalent to tri- tri- + phthóngos voice, sound

Example Sentences

Probably the most striking feature of the pronunciation is the unusual number of diphthongs and triphthongs, both ascending and descending.

From Project Gutenberg

The triphthong is properly a union of letters, not sounds.

From Project Gutenberg

I is joined with eu in lieu, and ew in view; which triphthongs are sounded as the open u.

From Project Gutenberg

Again: ask a boy, "What is a triphthong?"

From Project Gutenberg

Only the first two of these four words contain a triphthong.

From Project Gutenberg