What is the definition of "aspiration" in a speech context?

In the context of speech, aspiration refers to a puff of air that accompanies the articulation of certain sounds, particularly voiceless plosives like 'p', 't', and 'k'. When these sounds are produced, a burst of air is released, creating a distinctive quality that distinguishes them from their voiced counterparts. This phenomenon is crucial in languages where the presence or absence of aspiration can change the meaning of words. For instance, the difference between the 'p' in "pat" (which is aspirated) and the 'p' in "spat" (which is not) is significant in English phonetics.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of aspiration in this context. A pause in speech refers more to a syntactical break rather than a physical quality of sound. A rhythmic pattern relates to the arrangement and timing of sounds but does not specifically denote the airflow characteristic of aspiration. The term inflection typically describes the modulation of voice pitch, tone, or the way words change form rather than the articulation of specific sounds. Thus, the definition of aspiration, as described, aligns exclusively with the concept of a puff of air in speech production.