transmission

noun

trans·​mis·​sion tran(t)s-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce transmission (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmission (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
transmission of a nerve impulse across a synapse
2
: the passage of radio waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations
also : the act or process of transmitting by radio or television
3
: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the driveshaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a live axle
also : the speed-changing gears in such an assembly
4
: something that is transmitted : message
transmissive adjective
transmissivity noun

Did you know?

Since trans- means "across", it's not hard to see the meaning of transmission. Disease transmission occurs when an infection passes from one living thing to another. TV signal transmission can be interrupted by tree leaves, including moving leaves and branches during a storm. Your car's transmission transmits the engine's power to the axle, changing the gears to keep the engine working with maximum efficiency at various speeds.

Examples of transmission in a Sentence

The equipment is used for the transmission of television signals. We are receiving a live transmission from the scene of the accident. the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next My car has a manual transmission. This car comes with automatic transmission.
Recent Examples on the Web This poses a problem because America’s electricity transmission infrastructure was built 60 to 70 years ago. Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Human-to-human transmission has not been identified. Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024 Now, Kottler’s company, Pattern Energy, is set to build the first major transmission line connecting Texas with the Eastern US electrical grid – something that would have helped get more life-saving electricity into the state during that storm. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 Agency rules prohibit such transmissions in an absence of an actual emergency. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transmission 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transmission.' 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

Middle French, from Latin transmission-, transmissio, from transmittere to transmit

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of transmission was in 1611

Cite this Entry

“Transmission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transmission. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

transmission

noun
trans·​mis·​sion tran(t)s-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce transmission (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmission (audio)
1
: an act, process, or example of transmitting
2
: the passage of radio waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations
3
: the gears by which the power is transmitted from the engine to the axle that gives motion to a motor vehicle
4
: something transmitted

Medical Definition

transmission

noun
trans·​mis·​sion tran(t)s-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce transmission (audio) tranz- How to pronounce transmission (audio)
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
transmission of HIV
synaptic transmission

Legal Definition

transmission

noun
trans·​mis·​sion tranz-ˈmi-shən, trans- How to pronounce transmission (audio)
: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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