articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌti-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: a joint or juncture between bones or cartilages in the skeleton of a vertebrate

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of an animal

2

a

: the action or manner of jointing or interrelating

the articulation of the limbs

b

: the state of being jointed or interrelated

3

a

: the act of giving utterance or expression

b

: the act or manner of articulating sounds

c

: an articulated utterance or sound

specifically : consonant

4

: occlusion sense 1b

Synonyms

• expression
• formulation
• phrasing
• statement
• utterance
• verbalism
• voice
• wording

Examples of articulation in a Sentence

The book is the articulation of his vision.

her boyfriend's articulation of his feelings for her was very touching

Recent Examples on the Web

But the entire exercise—the confusing guidelines, and the lack of clear articulation for why certain attributes of foods are worth avoiding—was weighing on me. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024

The amendments adjusted many internal regulations, including the amount of depth articulations — or the number of external walls stepped and recessed — and the proportion of land in mixed-use development allocated for residential and commercial buildings. —Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024

Since loads change mostly in the vehicle’s cargo area, this also facilitates strong payload and towing capacities, will make lifting the vehicle easy, and enhances articulation over off-road obstacles. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 24 Oct. 2024

Highly posable, with 13 points of articulation, stylish two-toned rooted hair, and a fully poseable body with bendable joints—neck, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles—each doll comes complete with two mix-and-match outfits for hours of styling and play. —Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English articulacioun, borrowed from Latin articulātiōn-, articulātiō "jointed structure, division into joints," from articulāre "to divide into distinct parts" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at articulate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the making of articulate sounds (as in pronunciation)

2

: a joint between rigid parts of an animal

especially : one between bones or cartilages

Medical Definition

articulation

noun

ar·​tic·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)är-ˌtik-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or manner in which the parts come together at a joint

a sketch showing the articulation of the limbs

2

a

: a joint between bones or cartilages in the vertebrate skeleton that is immovable when the bones are directly united, slightly movable when they are united by an intervening substance, or more or less freely movable when the articular surfaces are covered with smooth cartilage and surrounded by a joint capsule see amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis, synarthrosis

b

: a movable joint between rigid parts of any animal (as between the segments of an insect appendage)

3

a

: the act or manner of articulating

b

: an articulated utterance or sound

4

a(1)

: the act of properly arranging artificial teeth

(2)

: an arrangement of artificial teeth

b

: occlusion sense 2a