phonetic alphabet
noun
1
: a set of symbols (such as the IPA) used for phonetic transcription
2
: any of various systems of identifying letters of the alphabet by means of code words in voice communication
Examples of phonetic alphabet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like all fires, the Viveash was parceled into divisions named using the NATO phonetic alphabet, from Alpha to Zebra.
—
River Selby
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Then the military would name storms after its phonetic alphabet — Able, Baker, Charlie — but that was replaced by a system that was less confusing and easier to remember.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
The author of essays on phonetic alphabets, demography, paper currency.
—Adam Smyth, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024
Before the first wave of drivers loaded their vans, a second series of vans drove uniformly into the bay, parking one after another in rows of four in a launch pad dubbed bravo, like the phonetic alphabet used by the military.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
Storms were originally identified through a phonetic alphabet, such as Adam, Baker, Charlie, and the same names were used during subsequent hurricane seasons.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2023
Modern Korean follows a phonetic alphabet called Hangul, meaning the syllables are generally pronounced as they’re written – unlike non-phonetic languages such as Chinese, which uses symbols to represent specific meanings.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
At first, officials were using the phonetic alphabet to determine the storm names but switched to female-only names in 1953 - the legend about the change is that a member of the naming committee was angry with his spouse and wanted to name a storm after her.
—Mallory Nicholls, Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2022
Just a few months later, the ICAO also approved the revised version, now known as the NATO phonetic alphabet.
—Kimberly Hickok, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2022
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River Selby
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Then the military would name storms after its phonetic alphabet — Able, Baker, Charlie — but that was replaced by a system that was less confusing and easier to remember.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
The author of essays on phonetic alphabets, demography, paper currency.
—Adam Smyth, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024
Before the first wave of drivers loaded their vans, a second series of vans drove uniformly into the bay, parking one after another in rows of four in a launch pad dubbed bravo, like the phonetic alphabet used by the military.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
Storms were originally identified through a phonetic alphabet, such as Adam, Baker, Charlie, and the same names were used during subsequent hurricane seasons.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2023
Modern Korean follows a phonetic alphabet called Hangul, meaning the syllables are generally pronounced as they’re written – unlike non-phonetic languages such as Chinese, which uses symbols to represent specific meanings.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023
At first, officials were using the phonetic alphabet to determine the storm names but switched to female-only names in 1953 - the legend about the change is that a member of the naming committee was angry with his spouse and wanted to name a storm after her.
—Mallory Nicholls, Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2022
Just a few months later, the ICAO also approved the revised version, now known as the NATO phonetic alphabet.
—Kimberly Hickok, Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Phonetic alphabet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonetic%20alphabet. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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