What is the first consonant of a word known as?

The first consonant of a word is known as the onset. The onset represents the initial sound or sounds of a syllable that come before the vowel. For example, in the word "cat," the onset is the "c." Understanding onsets is crucial in phonemic awareness and is one of the key components in helping children develop their reading skills. By segmenting the onset from the rime (the vowel and any following consonants in a syllable), instructors can help young learners recognize and manipulate sounds, which is foundational in reading development.

The other terms in the choices refer to different elements of phonetics. A rime refers to the part of a syllable that includes the vowel and any following consonants. A vowel is a speech sound that is produced without any significant constriction in the vocal tract, and a phoneme is the smallest unit of sound that can distinguish one word from another. While these concepts are all interconnected and important in literacy education, they do not define the first consonant in a word, which is specifically identified as the onset.