A voiced consonant is a type of consonant sound produced when the vocal cords vibrate. This occurs during the articulation of the sound, allowing it to resonate. Examples of voiced consonants include b, d, g, v, and z. These sounds are contrasted with their voiceless counterparts, where the vocal cords do not vibrate. In English, voiced consonants can be found in various positions within words. For instance, the b in "bat" and the d in "dog" are voiced. Understanding voiced consonants is essential for language learners, as they play a crucial role in pronunciation and meaning.