devastation

/ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/

Syllables de·vas·ta·tion

Stress de-vas-TA-tion

Phonics Breakdown

dev

/dɛv/

short e

a

/ə/

schwa

sta

/steɪ/

long a_e

tion

/ʃən/

tion ending

Meaning

severe and overwhelming destruction or damage

Sound Reference

💡

dev=/dɛv/(develop) + a=/ə/(about) + sta=/steɪ/(stay) + tion=/ʃən/(nation)

Example

The earthquake left a path of devastation across the city.