Em"pha*sis (&ebreve;m"f&adot;*s&ibreve;s), n.; pl. Emphases (- sēz). [L., fr. Gr. 'e`mfasis significance, force of expression, fr. 'emfai`nein to show in, indicate; 'en in + fai`nein to show. See In, and Phase.] 1. (Rhet.) A particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given in reading and speaking to one or more words whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience.

The province of emphasis is so much more important than accent, that the customary seat of the latter is changed, when the claims of emphasis require it.

2. A peculiar impressiveness of expression or weight of thought; vivid representation, enforcing assent; as, to dwell on a subject with great emphasis.

External objects stand before us . . . in all the life and emphasis of extension, figure, and color.

• Special weight or forcefulness given to something considered important
       
• He paused for emphasis before saying who had won
  
• Special attention or prominence given to something
       
• Anglia TV's emphasis is on Norwich and district
  
• Prominence given to a syllable or words, by raising the voice or printing in italic or underlined type
       
• He use a yellow highlighter to indicate where to give emphasis in his speech