Syllable (noun)

1. A unit of sound in a word, typically made up of a vowel sound or a combination of vowel and consonant sounds, and forming the whole or a part of a word.
2. A unit of rhythm in poetry, typically consisting of one stressed and one or more unstressed syllables.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from french syllabe, or via latin from greek sullabē, from sun- "together with" + labein "to take.

Examples:

1. This word has two syllables.
2. The word cat has one syllable.
3. The poem is written in pentameter, with five syllables per line.
4. The word antidisestablishmentarianism has many syllables.
5. The language is characterized by its monosyllabic words.