Which term refers to a sound that is prolonged in its production?

The term that refers to a sound that is prolonged in its production is a continuant sound. Continuant sounds are produced with a continuous airflow through the vocal tract, allowing the sound to be sustained for an extended duration. This includes sounds like /s/, /f/, and /m/, where the articulators stay in place and air flows continuously, enabling the speaker to maintain the sound for as long as desired.

Other sound types do not fit this description. For instance, stop consonant sounds involve complete closure at some point in the vocal tract, which creates a momentary stop before the airflow is released. Fricatives, while they do allow for a longer duration compared to stops, are characterized primarily by turbulent airflow rather than a sustained continuous sound. Nasal sounds allow for continuous airflow as well but are characterized by resonance in the nasal cavity. In contrast, continuants stand out because they can be intentionally prolonged, marking them as distinct within phonetic terminology.