Definition & Meaning of "velar"

What is "velar"?

Velar refers to sounds produced when the back of the tongue contacts the soft part of the roof of the mouth, known as the velum. These sounds are characterized by their specific place of articulation. In English, examples of velar consonants include the "k" sound in "cat," the "g" sound in "go," and the "ng" sound in "sing." Velar sounds are important in phonetics because they contribute to the variety of speech sounds and help differentiate words in a language based on their pronunciation.