vocalisation

Everyday

1. A vocalisation is a sound made with the voice, especially by an animal, like a bark, a howl, a song or a call. tree →
2. Vocalisation is the act of making sounds with the voice or of singing. tree →
3. (music) Vocalisation is singing a tune on vowel sounds without words. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on animal communication (whales, birds, monkeys); in music; it is a formal, scientific word for «a sound made by voice».

Examples

• Wolves use many vocalisations, like howls and growls. tree →
• Scientists recorded the whale's vocalisations. tree →
• A baby's first vocalisations are coos and gurgles. tree →
• Birdsong is a kind of vocalisation. tree →
• The singer warmed up with vocalisation exercises. tree →

Note

UK spelling «vocalisation»; US spelling «vocalization». Countable for single sounds, uncountable for the act. Verb: vocalise/vocalize.