phonemic

adjective

pho·​ne·​mic fə-ˈnē-mik How to pronounce phonemic (audio)
fō-
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phoneme
2
a
: constituting members of different phonemes (such as \n\ and \m\ in English)
phonemically adverb

Examples of phonemic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Perhaps a language could lose phonemic diversity in the same way as its speakers dwindle during the long voyage from island to island. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024 By building oral language, children develop phonemic awareness and learn to notice, think about and work with the individual sounds in spoken words — skills taught and developed in transitional kindergarten. Ana Tramp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024 In a nearby kindergarten classroom, teacher Gretchen Shimer announces another iteration of phonemic awareness, or an understanding of speech sounds. Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024 Advocates for the approach often emphasize phonics and phonemic awareness as instructional tools to teach children how to read. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 3 Feb. 2024 Science of reading draws on a body of research that focuses on how brains learn to read, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness along with teaching fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Programs that have phonics, phonemic awareness, oral fluency – those are evidence-based. Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2023 Out of the four main coverage areas when evaluating the science of reading – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension – NCTQ's analysis found adequate coverage in all four areas for Ball State's program. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Aug. 2023 Structured literacy focuses on the building blocks of reading comprehension and emphasizes phonemic awareness first, followed by each of the components of language leading up to semantic understanding, or meaning. By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner, 15 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

phoneme + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phonemic was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near phonemic

Cite this Entry

“Phonemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonemic. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

phonemic

adjective
pho·​ne·​mic fə-ˈnē-mik How to pronounce phonemic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phoneme
2
: being different phonemes
phonemically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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