Definition

Noun: A speech sound (consonant) produced primarily by using one or both lips. The articulation involves the lips as the active articulator, which may contact the teeth or the other lip.

Usage

The term "labial consonant" is used in phonetics and linguistics to classify sounds based on their place of articulation. It is a technical, academic term.

Examples

• The sounds /p/, /b/, and /m/ are labial consonants.
• In English, labial consonants include bilabial sounds like /p/ and /b/, and labiodental sounds like /f/ and /v/.
• The word "mom" begins and ends with a labial consonant.

Advanced Usage

• Labial can function as an adjective (e.g., , ).
• In detailed phonetic description, labial consonants are often subdivided into:
  • Bilabial: articulated with both lips (e.g., /p/, /b/, /m/).
  • Labiodental: articulated with the lower lip and the upper teeth (e.g., /f/, /v/).

Variants and Related Words

• Labial (adj.): Pertaining to the lips. (e.g., ).
• Bilabial (adj./n.): A consonant made with both lips.
• Labiodental (adj./n.): A consonant made with the lip and teeth.
• Labialization (n.): A secondary articulatory feature where lips are rounded while producing a sound.

Synonyms

• Lip consonant

Antonyms

• Non-labial consonant (e.g., alveolar consonant, velar consonant).

Related Phrases/Concepts

• Place of articulation: The point in the vocal tract where a consonant sound is produced. "Labial" is a primary category within this system.
• Manner of articulation: How the airflow is obstructed to produce a consonant (e.g., stop, fricative). Labial consonants can have different manners (e.g., /p/ is a labial stop, /f/ is a labial fricative).

Noun

1. a consonant whose articulation involves movement of the lips