What is the definition of a phoneme?

A phoneme is defined as the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish meaning. When represented in print, phonemes are typically enclosed within slashes to indicate their sound form, such as /p/, /b/, or /t/. This notation helps illustrate how sounds function within spoken language and highlights the auditory aspect of phonemes rather than their visual representation. Understanding phonemes is fundamental in phonics, as it provides insight into how sounds correlate with letters and letter combinations in written words, aiding in literacy development. The other options describe different aspects of language, such as written words or complete thoughts, but do not capture the essence of what a phoneme is.