glottal stop

noun

: the interruption of the breath stream during speech by closure of the glottis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Her post-verbal texts are made of glottal stops and hisses, tongue clicks and tones pushed out from the diaphragm.

Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 14 May 2018 His speech is unhurried and deliberate, conspicuously free of glottal stops.

Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glottal stop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of glottal stop was in 1888

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Glottal stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glottal%20stop. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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