What does it mean for a syllable to be stressed?

When a syllable is stressed, it means it is pronounced with more emphasis, force, or prominence than other syllables in a word. This emphasis can be achieved through:

* Increased volume: The stressed syllable is spoken louder than other syllables.

* Higher pitch: The stressed syllable is spoken at a higher pitch than other syllables.

* Longer duration: The stressed syllable is held for a slightly longer time than other syllables.

Examples:

* "REcord" - The first syllable is stressed, so it's pronounced with more emphasis than the second syllable.

* "aBOut" - The second syllable is stressed, so it's pronounced with more emphasis than the first syllable.

* "unDERstand" - The second syllable is stressed.

Importance of Stressed Syllables:

* Word pronunciation: Stressed syllables help us correctly pronounce words, especially in multi-syllable words.

* Understanding meaning: Stressed syllables can differentiate between words with similar spellings but different meanings (e.g., "conDUCT" vs. "conDUCTor").

* Poetry and rhythm: Stressed and unstressed syllables create the rhythm and meter in poetry.

Note: The stress pattern of a word can vary depending on the dialect or language.