Which term describes the smallest distinctive sound unit in a spoken language?

The term that describes the smallest distinctive sound unit in a spoken language is "phoneme." Phonemes are the individual sounds that make up words and can change the meaning of a word when altered. For example, changing the phoneme /b/ in "bat" to /c/ results in the word "cat," demonstrating how phonemes are the building blocks of spoken language.

Understanding phonemes is essential for various aspects of language learning, including phonemic awareness, which is crucial for reading and writing. In contrast, a syllable refers to a larger unit of sound that typically includes a vowel sound and may be accompanied by consonants. A vowel is a specific type of phoneme, representing one category of sounds in spoken language. A word is a complete unit of meaning made up of one or more phonemes and syllables. Thus, the correct choice highlights the foundational role of phonemes in the structure of spoken language.