Definition & Meaning of "cedilla"

What is a "cedilla"?

A cedilla is a diacritical mark that appears as a small hook or tail placed beneath the letter "c," transforming it into "ç." This mark is used in several languages, most notably in French and Portuguese, to indicate that the "c" should be pronounced as an "s" sound instead of a hard "k" sound. For example, in the French word "façade," the cedilla shows that the "c" is pronounced like "s." The cedilla is significant in written language as it alters pronunciation and ensures clarity, helping to distinguish words and their meanings in languages that use it.