the above transcription of semaphore is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.
semaphore frequency in english - C2+ level of CEFR
the word semaphore occurs in english on average 0.6 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2+ level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.
semaphore is pronounced in three syllables
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example pitch curve for pronunciation of semaphore
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video examples of semaphore pronunciation
An example use of semaphore in a speech by a native speaker of british english:
“… 19th century semaphore lines were the …”
meanings of semaphore
noun:
Any equipment used for visual signalling by means of flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms, which are used to represent letters of the alphabet, or words.
A visual system for transmitting information using the above equipment; especially, by means of two flags held one in each hand, using an alphabetic and numeric code based on the position of the signaller's arms; flag semaphore.
A bit, token, fragment of code, or some other mechanism which is used to restrict access to a shared function or device to a single process at a time, or to synchronize and coordinate events in different processes.
verb:
To signal using, or as if using, a semaphore, with the implication that it is done nonverbally.