What is a minimal pair in phonetics?

A minimal pair in phonetics is defined as a pair of words that differ by only a single sound in the same position. This concept is crucial in phonetics and phonology because it demonstrates how changing one sound can lead to a change in meaning. For example, the words "pat" and "bat" form a minimal pair because they differ only in the initial consonant sound, yet they convey distinct meanings. This feature allows researchers and students to analyze phonemes in a language and understand the role of sound contrasts in communication.

The other options do not accurately represent the definition of a minimal pair. Homophones are words that sound the same but may differ in meaning or spelling; thus, they do not qualify because they don't differ by a sound. Words with the same meaning would not showcase sound differences and are therefore unrelated to the concept of minimal pairs. Finally, rhyming words may share similar phonetic endings but do not necessarily differ by only one phoneme, making them a broader category unrelated to the specific constraints of minimal pairs.