1. the shaping and production of the sounds required for intelligible speech. Articulation is a complex process that involves accuracy in the placement of the apparatus of the vocal tract, timing, direction of movements, force expended, speed of response, and neural integration of all actions. Compare misarticulation.

2. a clearly articulated sound or utterance.

3. a joint between bones, which may be fixed or movable.

4. in Gestalt psychology, the level of complexity within a structure. —articulate vb.