Definitions

1. noun

A speech sound that is made by directing airflow through a narrow channel, often resulting in a sound that is similar to but not identical with the intended sound, such as a fricative or a stop.

“The speech therapist explained that the patient’s problem with articulation was due to her difficulty producing approximants.”

2. noun

A speech sound made by directing airflow through a narrow channel, typically a fricative or a stop.

“The linguist studied the phonetic properties of the approximant sounds in various languages.”