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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beyond natural gas and coal, electrical grids could have aging transmission and distribution lines that lack efficiency and can waste power. Presley Bo Tyler, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 This approach emphasizes practical deployment and real-world testing, with pilot projects including quantum resistant hospital-to-hospital medical data transmission and government communications. Antonio Sanchez, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Overcrowding enhances the transmission of respiratory infections like pneumococcal pneumonia because tight living conditions increase the frequency of person-to-person interactions. Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025 High-temperature superconductors have long been viewed as the ‘Holy Grail’ of energy technology, with potential applications in lossless power transmission, magnetic levitation, and advanced computing. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for transmission

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 10 Sep. 2025.

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
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