phonetic alphabet

1. A standardized set of symbols used in phonetic transcription.
2. Any of various systems of code words for identifying letters in voice communication.

(DOD) A list of standard words used to identify letters in a message transmitted by radio or telephone. The following are the authorized words, listed in order, for each letter in the alphabet: ALFA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, DELTA, ECHO, FOXTROT, GOLF, HOTEL, INDIA, JULIETT, KILO, LIMA, MIKE, NOVEMBER, OSCAR, PAPA, QUEBEC, ROMEO, SIERRA, TANGO, UNIFORM, VICTOR, WHISKEY, X-RAY, YANKEE, and ZULU.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: an alphabet of characters intended to represent specific sounds of speech
  Synonym: sound alphabet

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Phonetic alphabet can mean:

• phonetic transcription system: a system for transcribing the precise sounds of human speech into writing.
  • International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): the most widespread such system
  • Category:Phonetic alphabets: lists other phonetic transcription systems

• phonemic orthography: for representing the sounds of a particular language with a one-symbol-per-sound correspondence

• spelling alphabet: a set of words used instead of alphabetic letters in radio communication; each word stands for its initial letter
  • NATO phonetic alphabet: the most widespread such set (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie,...)
  • Category:Spelling alphabets: lists other spelling alphabets

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