Definition : plosive consonants (also called stops) are formed when the two articulators completely block the passage of air from the lungs out through the mouth. The air builds up behind the articulators (ie is "stopped"), and is then suddenly released with a short "explosion" of air and therefore sound.
Examples from English:
- /p/ unvoiced bilabial plosive
- /b/ voiced bilabial plosive
- /t/ unvoiced alveolar plosive
- /d/ voiced alveolar plosive
- /k/ unvoiced velar plosive
- /g/ voiced velar plosive
More reading, with and explanation of the technical terms used above, can be found in An ELT Notebook : English Consonant Sounds
