transfer

1 of 2

verb

trans·​fer tran(t)s-ˈfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər
transferred; transferring

transitive verb

1
a
: to convey from one person, place, or situation to another : move, shift
b
: to cause to pass from one to another : transmit
2
: to make over the possession or control of : convey
3
: to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact

intransitive verb

1
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one educational institution to enroll at another
2
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable adjective
or less commonly transferrable
transferal noun
transferrer noun

transfer

2 of 2

noun

trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
a
: conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
b
: removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
2
a
: an act, process, or instance of transferring : transference sense 2
b
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
especially : a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
4
: a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
5
: a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance to continue the trip on another route

Examples of transfer in a Sentence

Verb We transferred the baby's car seat to the other car. The patient was transferred to a different hospital. transfer data on the hard drive to a disk He transferred my call to another line. The virus is transferred by mosquitoes. He transferred control of the company to his son. She was able to transfer her organizational skills to her new job. Her skills transferred well to her new job. Noun We switched to another car, and the transfer only took a few minutes. They arranged for a transfer of the prisoner to a different prison. a material that reduces heat transfer speeding up data transfer between computers We are doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transfer to the new system. a transfer by deed or will a transfer to the home office My overseas transfer has been approved.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The change represents a shift away from the subsidization that had helped transfer risk away from homeowners, toward premiums that are more commensurate with risk. Amy Green, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 The mission also intended to test transferring thousands of pounds of propellant between internal tanks. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 They were held by the Gestapo for two weeks before being transferred to Dachau concentration camp. Livia Paccariè, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Specifically, the Pac-12 presidents were supportive of granting immediate eligibility to football and men’s basketball players who transferred schools while in good academic standing, according to a source with direct knowledge of the discussions. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Police were called shortly after and Gain was immediately transferred to a local hospital. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 During today’s test, the spacecraft even managed to conduct a crucial test, transferring rocket propellant from one tank into another while traveling at thousands of miles above Earth’s surface. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 Would clinics have to transfer all embryos, even those with diseases? Ruthie Ackerman, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Standard practice involves creating multiple embryos, which are screened for genetic abnormalities, and the ones that appear healthiest can be transferred. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total purchase price was $2,100,000, $1,193 per square foot. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Alves joined Juventus in 2016 on a free transfer and despite only being there for one season, helped the club win the 2016-17 Serie A title and Coppa Italia. Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Common categories for small-business transactions include sales, contractors, wage expenses, owner’s draw, loans, investments, operating expenses and inter-account transfers. Vlad Rusz, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Financial terms of the deal were not released but the transfer fee was about $9 million, the team confirmed. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 MoneyLion charges instant transfer fees ranging from $1.99 up to a maximum of $9 depending on the size of the withdrawal, and EarnIn charges between $1.99 and $3.99. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024 Again, the Europeans have made 33 of their $50 billion transfer to Ukraine a loan. CBS News, 18 Feb. 2024 Gish remains in custody pending her transfer to a US Bureau of Prisons facility, which has yet to be determined, the release said. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 For those looking to get out of credit card debt, see if a balance transfer is right for you. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transfer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren, from Anglo-French transferrer, from Latin transferre, from trans- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of transfer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near transfer

Cite this Entry

“Transfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

transfer

1 of 2 verb
transferred; transferring
1
a
: to pass from one person, place, or situation to another
b
: to cause to pass from one to another
2
: to give over the possession or ownership of
3
: to move to a different place, region, or situation
especially : to withdraw from one school to enroll at another
4
: to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
transferable
tran(t)s-ˈfər-ə-bəl
adjective
transferal noun

transfer

2 of 2 noun
trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
: a giving over of right, title, or interest in property by one person to another
2
: an act, process, or example of transferring
3
: one that transfers or is transferred
4
: a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
5
: a place where a transfer is made (as from trains to ferries)
6
: a ticket permitting a passenger on a bus or train to continue the journey by another route
Etymology

Verb

Middle English transferren "to transfer," from Latin transferre (same meaning), from trans- "across, through" and ferre "to bear, carry" — related to defer entry 1, fertile

Medical Definition

transfer

noun
trans·​fer ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
2
: the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another see negative transfer

Legal Definition

transfer

1 of 2 transitive verb
transferred; transferring
: to cause a transfer of
transferable adjective
also transferrable
transferral
trans-ˈfər-əl
noun

transfer

2 of 2 noun
trans·​fer ˈtrans-ˌfər How to pronounce transfer (audio)
1
: a conveyance of a right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person or entity to another
2
: a passing of something from one to another
transfer of venue
the transfer of power

More from Merriam-Webster on transfer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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