phonate

verb

pho·nate ˈfō-ˌnāt

phonated; phonating

intransitive verb

: to produce vocal sounds and especially speech

phonation

fō-ˈnā-shən

noun

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from phonation, borrowed from French, from Greek phōnḗ "voice, speech" + French -ation -ation — more at phono-

Note: The French word has been credited to the anatomist François Chaussier (1746-1828), but it is not clear where or even if he used it in a publication.

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of phonate was in 1876

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Style

“Phonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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