Definition & Meaning of "lax vowel"

What is a "lax vowel"?

A lax vowel is a type of vowel sound produced with less muscle tension and effort in the vocal tract, resulting in a shorter and less distinct sound compared to tense vowels. Lax vowels are often more relaxed and occur in unstressed positions within words. In English, examples of lax vowels include the "i" sound in "sit," the "u" sound in "put," and the "e" sound in "bed." Lax vowels are important in phonetics because they contribute to the variety of vowel sounds and help distinguish meanings between words, playing a crucial role in pronunciation and clarity in spoken language.