HOW TO PRONOUNCE
ascertain
/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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as-er-TAYN: the ending rhymes with “rain.”
The sc sounds like s. Give the first syllable a smaller beat, then make the final long a the most prominent vowel.
TRY SAYING
“The investigator tried to ascertain the time of arrival.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗What does ascertain mean?
verb
- To find out definitely; to discover or establish.
More meanings (4)
verb
- (obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
- (dated) To look for something lost.
- (archaic) To establish, to prove.
- (archaic) To ensure or effect.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
I concede, however, that the attempt of the Empress to ascertain the sites of the minor events cannot be safely relied upon.
In the last chapter we saw how the ordinary mercurial barometer can be used to ascertain fairly accurately the height of mountains.
More book examples (3)
By means of this ingenious sighting device it is possible to ascertain the range and angle of fire very easily and speedily.
To ascertain a matter of such importance and magnitude in navigation, was reserved to be another glory of his present majesty's reign.
In feeding on horseflesh care should be taken to ascertain that the horse was not diseased, especially if any is given uncooked.