<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>An uninterrupted segment of speech consisting of a vowel sound, a diphthong, or a syllabic consonant, with or without preceding or following consonant sounds: “Eye,” “sty,” “act,” and “should” are English words of one syllable. “Eyelet,” “stifle,” “enact,” and “shouldn't” are two-syllable words.</li><li>One or more written letters or characters representing more or less exactly such an element of speech.</li><li>The slightest portion or amount of speech or writing; the least mention: Do not breathe a syllable of all this.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(Used with object) Chiefly Literary.<ul><li>To utter in syllables; articulate.</li><li>To represent by syllables.</li></ul></li><li>(Used without object) Chiefly Literary.<ul><li>To utter syllables; speak.</li></ul></li></ul>