Definition & Meaning of "labiovelar"

What is "labiovelar"?

Labiovelar refers to sounds produced with both the lips and the back of the tongue against the soft part of the roof of the mouth, known as the velum. This place of articulation creates a unique sound characterized by the simultaneous use of labial and velar features. In English, the primary example of a labiovelar consonant is the "w" sound in "water." Labiovelar sounds are important in phonetics because they contribute to the variety of speech sounds and help distinguish words based on their pronunciation.