To pronounce a word means to say it out loud, making the specific sounds that form that word. When you pronounce “cat,” you make three distinct sounds: the hard c, the short a, and the t. When you learn a new word like “mischievous” or “February,” figuring out how to pronounce it correctly helps you use it confidently in conversation.

Different languages and regions pronounce words differently. Someone from Boston might pronounce “park” differently than someone from Texas. In French, you pronounce words with sounds that don't exist in English, which is why learning a foreign language means training your mouth to make unfamiliar sounds.

The word also means to declare something officially or formally. A judge might pronounce someone guilty or innocent. A minister pronounces a couple married at a wedding ceremony. In these cases, the person speaking has the authority to make something official just by saying the words aloud. When the umpire pronounces a runner out, that runner is out, even if the call is wrong.

Something that's very noticeable can be called pronounced. If your friend has a pronounced limp after twisting her ankle, everyone can clearly see she's injured.